Study Megillah folio 12A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
This is also taught in a baraita, as an indication that the years counted were only partial years: And when Belshazzar was killed, there was still another year left for Babylonia before the reckoning of the 70 years was completed. And then Darius arose and completed it. Although 70 years were previ
Rava said: Daniel also erred in this calculation, as it is written: “In the 1st year of his reign, I, Daniel, meditated in the books over the number of the years, whereof the word of YHWH came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish for the desolations of Jerusalem 70 years” (Daniel 9:2).
The Talmud comments: In any case, the verses contradict each other with regard to how the 70 years should be calculated. In one verse it is written: “After 70 years are accomplished for Babylonia I will remember [efkod] you, and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return to this plac
Rava said in response: The 70 years that “are accomplished for Babylonia” were only for being remembered [lifekida], as mentioned in the verse, allowing the Jews to return to Eretz Yisrael but not to build the Temple. And this is as it is written with regard to Cyrus’s proclamation permitting the J
Apropos its mention of Cyrus, the Talmud states that Rav Naḥman bar Rav Ḥisda interpreted homiletically a verse concerning Cyrus: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Thus says YHWH to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held” (Isaiah 45:1), which seemingly is referring to Cyru