What Happened When

586 BC
Babylon destroys the Temple in Jerusalem and takes Judah captive.

539 BC
Cyrus conquers Babylon and solidifies the Persian Empire.

538 BC
Cyrus issues an edict to let the Jews return to their land.

536 BC
Zerubbabel leads the first return.

535 BC
Construction begins on the Second Temple, but it stops.

515 BC
The Second Temple is completed.

486 BC
Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) ascends to the Persian throne.

479 BC
Esther becomes queen of Persia.

474 BC
Haman decrees the murder of all Jews; Mordecai establishes Purim.

465 BC
Artaxerxes I ascends to the Persian throne.

458 BC
Ezra leads the second return to Jerusalem and reestablishes worship.

445 BC
Nehemiah leads the third return and rebuilds Jerusalem’s walls.

Editors Note: As with all ancient dates, some variation exists between sources. For the most part, this table was compiled using dates found in The Ryrie Study Bible, ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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