Table of Some Post-Exilic Events

Cyrus issued his edict allowing the Jews to return home. 538 BC Ezra 1
About 50,000 Jews returned under Zerubbabel and Joshua’s leadership. 536 BC Ezra 2; Neh 7
The altar was rebuilt and sacrifices resumed. 536 BC
Work on the temple began but then halted. 536 BC Ezra 3:1-4
The Jews became occupied with rebuilding their own homes. 536-522 BC Hag 1–2
Cyrus died, and his son, Cambyses II, succeeded him and ruled Persia. 530 BC; 530-522 BC
Smerdis ruled Persia. 522-521 BC
Darius I, the Great (Hystaspes), rescued Persia from civil war and ruled Persia. 521-486 BC
Darius confirmed Cyrus’ decree and encouraged the Jews to continue rebuilding the temple. 520 BC Ezra 6:1-14

Haggai preached his first three messages.

520 BC, 6th and 7th months

Hag 1:1, 15; 2:1

Zechariah preached his first message. 520 BC, 8th month Zec 1:1
Haggai preached his fourth and fifth messages. 520 BC, 9th month Hag 2:10, 20
Zechariah received his eight night visions. 520 BC, 11th month Zec 1:7
Joshua, the high priest, was crowned. 520 BC, 11th month Zec 6:9-15
The delegation from Bethel arrived, and Zechariah preached again. 518 BC, 9th month Zec 7:1
The Jews completed the temple and dedicated it. 515 BC, 12th month Ezra 6:15
Xerxes I (Ahasuerus) reigned over Persia. 486-464 BC Est 2:16
Artaxerxes I reigned over Persia. 464-424 BC
About 5,000 Jews returned to Palestine under Ezra’s leadership. 458 BC Ezra 7:7
Artaxerxes I authorized Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. 445 BC Neh 2:1
Nehemiah led the third return to Palestine. 444 BC Neh 2:9
Malachi ministered. c. 432-431 BC