Persian Kings Ezra Nehemiah

 

Artaxerxes (specifically Artaxerxes I Longimanus) is mentioned in the Old Testament books of 

Ezra and Nehemiah. He was a Persian king who played a significant role in the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem by authorizing Ezra and Nehemiah to return and rebuild. 

Here are the specific, key references:

Key Biblical Mentions

• Ezra 4:7-23: Artaxerxes is mentioned as the king who temporarily halted the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after receiving a letter from opponents of the Jews.
• Ezra 6:14: His name is listed alongside Cyrus and Darius as kings whose decrees aided the completion of the Temple.
• Ezra 7:1-28: Artaxerxes authorizes Ezra to return to Jerusalem with a group of exiles to set up a legal system and manage the temple, providing financial support in the seventh year of his reign.
• Nehemiah 2:1-8: In the twentieth year of his reign, Artaxerxes grants Nehemiah, his cupbearer, permission and resources to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls.
• Nehemiah 5:14 & 13:6: Mentions the 32nd year of his reign regarding Nehemiah's time as governor. 

Context

• Identity: Most scholars identify this king as Artaxerxes I (reigned 465–424 BC), the son of Xerxes I (who is identified as Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther).
• Role: While he initially halted building efforts in Ezra 4, he later became a supporter of the Jewish restoration efforts.
• Relevance: The decree in Nehemiah 2 is considered a crucial date in biblical prophecy, often linked to the start of the "seventy weeks" in Daniel 9. 

• Persian kings, especially Cyrus the Great, allowed Jews to live in Persia after conquering Babylon in 539 BCE, initially freeing them from captivity and allowing them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple, which led many Jews to stay in Persia, forming a large, influential community that thrived for centuries due to Persian tolerance and strategic policies.

  Why Jews Were in Persia (Babylonian Exile & Beyond)

  1. Babylonian Captivity: Around 586 BCE, the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem and exiled many Judeans to Babylon.
  2. Cyrus's Conquest: When Persian King Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BCE, he adopted a policy of religious tolerance and allowed captive peoples, including the Jews, to return home.

  Why Persian Kings Welcomed/Tolerated Jews

  • Religious Freedom & Tolerance: Cyrus proclaimed religious freedom, and the Achaemenid Persian Empire generally allowed conquered peoples to practice their own customs and religions, fostering loyalty.
  • Strategic Advantage: Allowing Jews to return to Judea helped establish a loyal buffer state in Palestine, securing trade routes and stability for the vast Persian Empire.
  • Economic & Political Roles: Jews in Persia became influential, serving as scholars, merchants, and advisors, and some even attained high political positions, as seen in the Book of Esther.

  The Jewish Presence in Persia (Iran) ®

  • Many Jews chose to stay in Persia rather than return to Jerusalem, establishing the long-standing Jewish community in Iran, which became a major center for Jewish life for over 2,000 years.
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