Return

A pagan emperor signs the decree that sends the captives home: the temple rises again amid opposition, Ezra opens the Law at the Water Gate, Nehemiah walls the city, and Malachi speaks the era's last word.

• 537 BCThe decree of Cyrus
• 537 BCCyrus returns the temple vessels
• 536 BCThe first return under Zerubbabel
• 536 BCThe altar rebuilt and the appointed feasts restored
• 535 BCThe second temple foundation laid
• 535 BCThe builders reject a false partnership
• 535 BCDaniel's final vision by the Tigris
• 522 BCA royal order forces the work to stop
• 520 BCHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to rebuild
• 520 BCHaggai promises greater glory for the house
• 520 BCBlessing promised; Zerubbabel called God's signet
• 519 BCZechariah receives the night visions
• 519 BCJoshua crowned as a sign of the Branch
• 519 BCTattenai investigates the temple work
• 519 BCDarius confirms Cyrus's decree
• 518 BCZechariah turns the fasts toward joy
• 518 BCEsther is gathered to the royal palace
• 515 BCThe second temple completed
• 515 BCThe temple dedicated and Passover kept
• 514 BCEsther is made queen
• 514 BCMordecai uncovers a plot against the king
• 514 BCHaman obtains a decree against the Jews
• 514 BCEsther calls a fast and approaches the king
• 514 BCMordecai is honored in Haman's robes
• 514 BCEsther exposes Haman; Haman is hanged
• 514 BCMordecai issues a decree of defense
• 509 BCThe Jews are delivered from their enemies
• 509 BCThe feast of Purim established
• 467 BCEzra commissioned to teach and administer the Law
• 467 BCEzra gathers the returning families and Levites
• 467 BCThe returnees fast for a safe journey
• 467 BCEzra arrives safely and presents the offerings
• 467 BCIntermarriage with surrounding peoples is reported
• 467 BCEzra confesses the people's unfaithfulness
• 467 BCEzra oversees the community reform
• 455 BCNehemiah hears of Jerusalem's distress
• 454 BCArtaxerxes commissions Nehemiah
• 454 BCNehemiah inspects the broken wall by night
• 454 BCFamilies and guilds rebuild Jerusalem's wall
• 454 BCThe builders work with weapons at hand
• 454 BCNehemiah confronts exploitation of the poor
• 454 BCNehemiah resists intimidation and false prophecy
• 454 BCJerusalem's wall completed in fifty-two days
• 454 BCJerusalem's gates guarded and the city repopulated
• 454 BCEzra reads the Law at the Water Gate
• 454 BCThe Feast of Booths kept with great joy
• 454 BCThe people confess and seal the covenant
• 454 BCJerusalem's wall dedicated with two choirs
• 442 BCNehemiah returns to the Persian court
• 442 BCNehemiah returns and restores order
• 416 BCMalachi rebukes corrupt worship and covenant unfaithfulness
• 416 BCThe messenger, the day of the LORD, and Elijah promised