Bible Building BlocksExplore. Understand. See the Big Picture.
Timeline era

Return & Restoration

The return from exile under Persia, rebuilding the temple and Jerusalem’s walls, and the last Old Testament prophets.

Empire in this era: Persia ruled the land from 539/538 BC until Alexander in 332 BC, and its kings Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes and Artaxerxes appear in Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.

On the strip: Persia (539/538–332 BC). The strip shows who held the stage over the land of Israel, not who was biggest in the world.

Group pages:

All the empires, era by era, with the outside evidence

Teaching slide on the completion and dedication of the rebuilt temple in 516 or 515 BC, with Ezra 6:15–16 and a summary.
Teaching slide. Scripture is quoted from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation. The artwork is an illustrated reconstruction, not a photograph. Select the image to view it full size.
Chart of four figures in the restoration after the exile: Zerubbabel, Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah, with approximate dates, their roles, and Bible references.
Teaching chart. Dates are approximate. The portraits are imagined illustrations, not likenesses. Select the image to view it full size.

What the sources say, and how sure we are

  • The text says

    Cyrus of Persia lets exiles return in 538 BC. The temple is rebuilt and finished about 516 BC, and Ezra and Nehemiah later lead further reforms.Ezra 1:1–4; Ezra 6:15; Neh 2:1; Neh 6:15

  • The text says

    Later Persian kings, including Darius, Ahasuerus (Xerxes), and Artaxerxes, appear in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.Ezra 6:1–15; Neh 2:1; Esth 1:1

  • Outside evidence

    The Cyrus Cylinder shows Persia’s policy of returning displaced peoples. Letters from Elephantine in Egypt, from 407 BC, mention the governor of Judah and Sanballat of Samaria.Cyrus Cylinder; Elephantine Papyri

  • Debated

    The Cyrus Cylinder does not mention the Jews. Scholars debate how far it parallels the decree in Ezra.Ezra 1:1–4

  • Debated

    Scholars differ on the order of Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s missions.Ezra 7:7

  • Christian conclusion

    The New Testament identifies the promised messenger and the coming of Elijah with John the Baptist.Mal 3:1; Mal 4:5; Mark 1:2; Matt 11:10–14

Books

Related