Politico-economic and socio-religious factors behind the rebuilding of the second temple during the Persian period

This Old Testament study investigates the social, economic, religious, political and cultural significance behind the whole process of the rebuilding of the Second Temple. It takes into account the prophetic books and considers the voices of dissidence, and also the conflicts within the Jewish community. Even though the elite leaders sent by the empire, and at the cost of empire, had very clear intentions of building up the community and of providing the requirements for the welfare of the people, they indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly succumbed themselves to the welfare and promotion of the sponsoring empire. A Dissertation submitted to the Senate of Serampore College (University) in Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Theology, The United Theological College, Bangalore, India, March 2016