Joseph Turner Supporter Christian, Sunday School Teacher, Actor, Health Food Worker

According to some of the websites that I have looked at regarding the Persian kings and how they line up in the Bible, this particular Artaxerxes we are referring to goes by the Persian name Ardeshier Deraz Dast. He ruled between 464-423 B.C. So, seven years into his reign would have been about 457 B.C. 

Hope this helps.

January 26 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

The answer to what year was “the seventh year of Artaxerxes,” can be determined. Although Persian records are scarce and unreliable, the Bible helps in determining some of the history. The king in Ezra 7:8 is likely the third king of Persia, Daniel 11:2. 

The first king was Cyrus, also known as Darius the Mede, Daniel 5:30, 9:1, 11:1. His decree in his first year permitted the Jews to return and rebuild the temple, Ezra 1:1-4. 

After Cyrus’ death, three kings reigned, Daniel 11:1-2. Cambyses, the oldest son of Cyrus, succeeded him. Then there was the usurper to the throne pretending to be Smerdis or Bardiya, the son of Cyrus and brother of Cambyses. Darius the Persian, defeated the usurper, Pseudo-Smerdis. The successor to Darius was his son Xerxes, the fourth king who with his wealth and power mounted a massive invasion of Greece. 

The third king is thought to be different kings because of different names. In fact, the following names from both history and the Bible belong to him: Darius the Persian, Darius Hystaspis, Longimanus (“long-hand”), Ahasuerus, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes. The names reflect different things about him. The king’s new title of Artaxerxes, king of kings, Ezra 7:12, was in recognition of his ruling, not just 120 provinces, Daniel 6:1, but 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, Esther 1:1. 

From history, it is known that he reigned for 36 years. The Bible supports this by the recorded numbered years of his reign given as follows:

YEAR 2 – The prophets Haggai and Zechariah, by the Word of the Lord, call the people to build the temple, Haggai 1:1, 15, 2:10, Zechariah 1:1, 7. 

YEAR 2 – After the temple building was suspended, the work resumes, Ezra 4:24.

YEAR 3 – King Ahasuerus deposes Queen Vashti, Esther 1:3.

YEAR 4 – Zechariah, by the Word of the Lord, speaks about no longer weeping and fasting, Zechariah 7:1.

YEAR 6 – The temple is completed, Ezra 6:15. 

YEAR 7 – Ezra and others arrive in Jerusalem, Ezra 7:7-8.

YEAR 7 – Esther is brought to the king, Esther 2:16-17.

YEAR 12 – Haman plots against the Jews, Esther 3:7. 

YEAR 20 – Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king, becomes governor of Judea for 12 years, Nehemiah 1:1, 5:14. He likely sees Esther, Nehemiah 2:6.

YEAR 32 – Nehemiah returns to the king, Nehemiah 13:6, after which he goes back to Jerusalem.

In figuring dates, one has to start where history is more certain. One can start with the prophecy of Daniel 9:25 that links two events:

1. Messiah’s baptism and beginning of ministry, AD 27

2. Command to rebuild, first year of Cyrus, 483 years (69 weeks/sevens of years) earlier, 457 BC

With dates and length of reigns from historical records, the following dates are determined:

Cyrus reigned 9 years, 457-449 BC 
Cambyses reigned 8 years, 449-441 BC 
Pseudo-Smerdis 7 months, 441 BC 
Darius the Persian reigned 36 years, 440-405 BC

If these dates are correct, then the seventh year of Darius the Persian or Artaxerxes is about 434 BC.

March 05 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report