A bit of context and history

A BIT OF CONTEXT AND HISTORY

Events in Ezra and Nehemiah occurred during the period of the Jews’ return from Babylonian  captivity.  When  the  Babylonians  had  captured  Jerusalem  and  overthrown  the  nation  of
Judah, they took the Jews into captivity away from Palestine into Babylon (see 2 Chronicles
36:11-21). But the Medes and Persians later overthrew the Babylonians and began a policy of allowing the Jews to return to Palestine.

There were actually three groups that returned. The first group returned in 536 BC under
leadership of Zerubbabel, the second group in 458 BC led by Ezra, and the third group in 445 BC
led by Nehemiah.

Consider the history of the period according to the reigns of several great Persian kings

Cyrus — He overthrew Babylon in 538 BC. The first group of Jews returned to Palestine under Zerubbabel’s leadership in 536 BC.
Darius the “Great” — During his lifetime, the temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt.
Xerxes — This is the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther. He eventually chose Esther as his
queen, and by her influence he saved the Jews from destruction.
Artaxerxes — This man was son of Xerxes and stepson of Esther. He ruled from about 465-
423 BC. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were written during his reign.

Ezra’s record begins with the first group that returned under Cyrus. But Ezra himself became personally involved in the story during the 7th year of the reign of Araxerxes, when Ezra
led a group of Jews back to Palestine (458 BC). In the 21st year of the reign, Nehemiah led another group of Jews to return, and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.