| Decree | Year | Ordains | Bible reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decree of Cyrus | 538BC | to rebuild the temple | 2 Chr 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-4, 5:13 |
| Decree of Darius | 520BC | to rebuild the temple (Cyrus’s Decree confirmed) | Ezra 4:24, Ezra 6:1, 6-12 |
| 1st Decree of Artaxerxes | 458BC | to rebuild the city of Jersusalem | Ezra 7:7, Ezra 7:11-26 |
| 2nd Decree of Artaxerxes | 444BC | to rebuild the city wall | Nehemiah 2:1-8 |
From the analysis of Luke 3:1, Jesus’s ministry must and should have started in 26AD (see https://70weeks.net/passover/yeshuas-ministry/), as this was the 15th year of Tiberius’s reign as Emperor of Rome.
This verse is authoritative and anchors Jesus’s appearance in Ministry.
If we take 483 solar years, counting back from 26AD the starting year is 457BC and therefor Daniel 9:25 refers to the first decree of Artaxerxes.
However, if we consider Daniel’s years as prophetic years, accumulating to 173.880 days making 476 solar years, counting back from 26AD gives a starting year of 451BC. This is way before the second decree and can therefor be ignored as a possibility. So the years in Dan9:24-27 are solar years.
Ezra has been given the authority in the first decree to ‘restore’ Jerusalem administratively and with civil authority. The real restoration occurs under Nehemiah. The going forth in Daniel 9:25 emphasises civic and later physical restoration.
AI Analysis of the question to the decrees
There were a number of decrees given by Persian rulers for Israel to rebuild parts of Jerusalem. Can you list all of them, what year they were given, what the central element of the decree contained and what Bible verse mentions it. In order to determine the actual year and/or date, historical records may be referenced.
Here is a clear, historically anchored list of the major Persian decrees related to the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem (temple, city, walls) — including:
• Which king issued it,
• Approximate historical date,
• Central elements contained in the decree, and
• Bible verse(s) that record it.
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📜 1. Decree of Cyrus the Great
King: Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great)
Year: First year of Cyrus — 539–538 BC (after the fall of Babylon)
Central elements of the decree
• Authorized the return of Jewish exiles to Judah and Jerusalem.
• Permitted them to rebuild the house of God (the Temple) in Jerusalem.
• Encouraged support for the returnees (offerings, provisions).
• Returned the sacred temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar.
Bible verses
• Ezra 1:1–4 (Cyrus’s proclamation to rebuild the temple)
• 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 (chronicles Cyrus’s decree)
• Ezra 6:3–5 (official decree text rediscovered under Darius I)
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📜 2. Decree of Darius I (the Great)
King: Darius I
Year: Circa 520 BC (roughly the first year of Darius’s reign after Cyrus and Cambyses)
Central elements of the decree
• Confirmed and reaffirmed Cyrus’s decree about rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.
• Ordered a search of the archives to find Cyrus’s written commission.
• Declared that the work should proceed without interference.
• Directed that royal funds be used to pay for the rebuilding.
Bible verses
• Ezra 6:1–12 (Darius’s order found in the palace archives and applied)
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📜 3. Decree of Artaxerxes I (to Ezra)
King: Artaxerxes I Longimanus
Year: 457 BC (Artaxerxes’ 7th year — accepted dating by many scholars)
Central elements of the decree
• Granted Ezra the priest and scribe official authority to return to Jerusalem.
• Allowed religious and political autonomy for the Jewish people in Judah.
• Prohibited taxes on priests and Levites serving in the Temple.
• Empowered Ezra to appoint magistrates and judges under the Law of God.
• Provided supplies, silver, and gold from the royal house for the journey and work.
Bible verses
• Ezra 7:11–26 (Artaxerxes’ decree issued to Ezra)
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📜 4. Decree of Artaxerxes I (to Nehemiah)
King: Artaxerxes I Longimanus
Year: 445 BC / 444 BC (20th year of Artaxerxes’ reign)
Central elements of the decree
• Authorized Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem as governor.
• Granted permission to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem.
• Provided official backing — including letters for safe travel, materials (timber), and royal support.
• Intended to restore Jerusalem’s defenses and civic structure.
Bible verses
• Nehemiah 2:1–8 (Nehemiah pleads with the king and is granted authorization)
| King | Approx. Date (BC) | Central Focus of Decree | Biblical Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyrus the Great | 539/538 | Return of exiles; rebuild the Temple | Ezra 1:1–4; 2 Chr 36:22–23; Ezra 6:3–5 |
| Darius I | ~520 | Reaffirm Cyrus’s decree; finance Temple rebuilding | Ezra 6:1–12 |
| Artaxerxes I (to Ezra) | 458/457 | Return of Ezra; political/religious autonomy in Jerusalem | Ezra 7:11–26 |
| Artaxerxes I (to Nehemiah) | 445/444 | Rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, city restoration | Neh 2:1–8 |
Historical Dating Notes
• Cyrus’s first year is typically dated to 539–538 BC following the fall of Babylon.
• Darius’s decree is placed around 520 BC, a decade into his kingship.
• Artaxerxes I’s decree to Ezra is widely dated 457 BC, used by many scholars for Daniel’s prophecy timeline.
• Artaxerxes’ decree to Nehemiah falls in 445/444 BC, widely accepted as the authorization to repair Jerusalem’s defenses.
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🧭 Summary
These four Persian decrees together shaped the post-exilic restoration:
1. Temple reconstruction authorized (Cyrus).
2. Temple rebuilding reinforced and funded (Darius).
3. Religious and civic leadership restored (Artaxerxes to Ezra).
4. City walls and urban restoration authorized (Artaxerxes to Nehemiah).
Each decree moves the community from return from exile → rebuilding of worship → political autonomy → restoration of Jerusalem’s security and civic life.
