Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with Cyrus from the Bible

The popular party game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" is based on the idea that any Hollywood actor can be connected to Kevin Bacon through their film roles within six steps or less. But did you know that this game can also be played with characters from the Bible? Let’s play and see how Cyrus, the Persian king from the Book of Ezra, is connected to Kevin Bacon.

Step 1: Cyrus the Great to Nehemiah
Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian Empire and was known for his benevolent policies towards his conquered subjects. He allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon, as recorded in the Book of Ezra. Nehemiah was one of the Jews who returned and became the governor of Jerusalem.

Step 2: Nehemiah to Sanballat
Sanballat was the governor of Samaria during the time of Nehemiah and was opposed to his rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. He tried to stop Nehemiah by using threats and intimidation, but Nehemiah was able to complete the rebuilding of the city walls.

Step 3: Sanballat to Tobiah
Tobiah was a wealthy Ammonite who was allied with Sanballat in his opposition to Nehemiah. He tried to undermine Nehemiah’s efforts by spreading false rumors and trying to bribe him.

Step 4: Tobiah to Eliashib
Eliashib was the high priest in Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah and was related to Tobiah through marriage. He allowed Tobiah to have living quarters in the temple, which was a serious violation of Jewish law.

Step 5: Eliashib to Zadok
Zadok was a priest who served during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. He was known for his loyalty to the Davidic dynasty and his support of the rightful king.

Step 6: Zadok to Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon starred in the movie "The Air I Breathe" alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played a character named Sorrow. Sorrow was portrayed as a modern-day incarnation of the biblical character Zadok.

Bible Verse: "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: ‘All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.’" – Ezra 1:2

In conclusion, we have discovered that Cyrus from the Bible can be connected to Kevin Bacon through six steps. It’s fascinating to see how different characters from the Bible can be linked to each other and to popular culture. But more importantly, the story of Cyrus reminds us of God’s sovereignty and His ability to use even pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes.