A Chronology of the Times of the Exile and Restoration BC

538 Darius and Cyrus are joint rulers over the Persian empire.

536 Cyrus assumes sole rulership. The completion of the 70 year prophecy

(2Chr. 36:22). Daniel dies in Babylon (Dan. 1:21; 10:1; 12:13)

49,897* return from Babylon to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel.

7th month: The people gather to build the altar, and sacrifices offered

(Ezra 3:1-6).

535 2nd year of Cyrus. Work on the temple is begun; the foundations laid

(Ezra 3:8-13); then work stops.

529 Cambyses (the Ahasuerus of Ezra 4:6) in control of the empire.

Samaritan opposition in Jerusalem continues (Ezra 4:4-6).

522 7 months reign of the usurper Pseudo-Smerdis (the Artaxerxes of Ezra

4:7-23); Samaritan opposition is renewed.

521 Darius Hystaspes (the Darius of Ezra 4:5, 24; the Artaxerxes of Ezra

6:14; the Ahasuerus of Esther) reigns (until BC485).

520 2nd year of Darius. The work is renewed with the exhortations of

Haggai and Zechariah.

516 The temple is completed and Passover is observed (Ezra 6:19).

515 Esther becomes Queen of Persia. Ezra leaves Babylon (Ezra 7:9); arrives at Jerusalem five months later.

502 Nehemiah arrives at Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.

The wall is finished in 52 days.

490 Nehemiah returns to Persia after his first ministry in Jerusalem.

: *Comprised of the congregation (42,360), servants (7,337) and singers (200),

according to Ezra 2:64-65. 

The Christadelphian Expositor