Artaxerxes I, also known as Artaxerxes Longimanus, was a Persian king who reigned from 465 to 424 BC. He was the son of Xerxes I and Amestris and is noted for his interactions with the Jewish people during the post-exilic period. Artaxerxes I is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, where he is depicted as a ruler who played a crucial role in the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish community.

Biblical References

1. Ezra's Mission: Artaxerxes I is prominently mentioned in the Book of Ezra. In Ezra 7:11-26, Artaxerxes issues a decree that allows Ezra, a scribe and priest, to lead a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. The king grants Ezra extensive authority to appoint magistrates and judges and to teach the Law of God. Artaxerxes' decree also provides for the financial support of the temple services, as seen in Ezra 7:21-22 : "I, King Artaxerxes, hereby issue a decree to all the treasurers west of the Euphrates: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, it must be provided promptly, up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred cors of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, one hundred baths of oil, and salt without limit."

2. Nehemiah's Commission: The Book of Nehemiah opens with Nehemiah serving as the cupbearer to Artaxerxes I. In Nehemiah 2:1-8, Nehemiah requests permission from Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. The king not only grants this request but also provides letters of safe passage and resources for the construction. Nehemiah 2:8 states, "And may I have a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the house I will occupy." Artaxerxes' support was instrumental in the successful rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.

Historical Context

Artaxerxes I's reign was marked by internal stability and external challenges, including revolts in Egypt and conflicts with Greece. Despite these challenges, his policies towards the Jewish people were notably favorable. This benevolence can be attributed to the Persian policy of allowing subject peoples to maintain their own religious and cultural practices, which helped secure loyalty to the empire.

Significance in Jewish History

Artaxerxes I's decrees had a profound impact on the Jewish community. His support facilitated the religious and social restoration of the Jewish people in their homeland. The rebuilding of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem under his reign were pivotal events that helped re-establish Jewish identity and religious practices after the Babylonian exile.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, Artaxerxes I's actions can be seen as part of God's providential plan for His people. The king's favorable policies towards the Jews are viewed as divinely orchestrated, allowing the fulfillment of God's promises to restore Israel. The narrative underscores the theme of God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations and His ability to use even foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes.

Artaxerxes I remains a significant figure in biblical history, remembered for his role in the restoration efforts of Ezra and Nehemiah, which were crucial for the re-establishment of the Jewish community in Jerusalem.Ezra 4:7-24
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
Nave's Topical Index

783b. Artachshast -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia
... Word Origin (Aramaic) of foreign origin Definition a son and successor of Xerxes,
king of Persia NASB Word Usage Artaxerxes (5), Artaxerxes' (1). 783a, 783b. ...
/hebrew/783b.htm - 5k

783. Artachshashta' -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of ...
... a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia. Transliteration: Artachshashta' Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-takh-shash-taw') Short Definition: Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes ...
/hebrew/783.htm - 5k

783a. Artachshasta -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of ...
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a son and successor of Xerxes, king of
Persia NASB Word Usage Artaxerxes (9). 783, 783a. Artachshasta. 783b . ...
/hebrew/783a.htm - 5k

325. Achashverosh -- king of Persia
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition king of Persia NASB Word Usage Ahasuerus
(31 ... 10:1); of Persian origin; Achashverosh (ie Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in ...
/hebrew/325.htm - 6k

The Return of Xerxes to Persia.
... three sons."Artabanus, captain of the guard."He assassinates Xerxes."Artaxerxes
kills his ... that, if I should decide myself to return to Persia, I should ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xii the return of.htm

Book 11 Footnotes
... And if any wonder why Josephus wholly omits the rest of the kings of Persia after
Artaxerxes Mnemon, till he came to their last king Darius, who was conquered ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 11 footnotes.htm

Fragment xvi. On the Seventy Weeks of Daniel. ...
... and to build Jerusalem. And this happened in the twentieth year of the reign
of Artaxerxes king of Persia. For Nehemiah his cup-bearer ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/fragment xvi on the seventy.htm

Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of ...
... also, and who is related to have saved our nation; for when Artaxerxes had taken ...
he made a costly feast for his friends, and for the nations of Persia, and for ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning esther and.htm

In the Meantime, those Jews, Who, as we have Said Above...
... Accordingly, these took counsel to write to king Artaxerxes, that it was not fitting ...
But, who were kings of Persia throughout this period of time, we shall ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter ix in the meantime.htm

Ezra, the Priest and Scribe
... About seventy years after the return of the first company of exiles under Zerubbabel
and Joshua, Artaxerxes Longimanus came to the throne of Medo-Persia. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 50 ezra the priest.htm

The New Temple and Its Worship
... and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according
to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.15. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the new temple and its.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... of Syria, the revolt of Nectanebo II.--- The death of Artaxerxes II.--- The ... Persia
and its powerlessness to resist attack: the rise of Macedonia, Philippi ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of.htm

The Manner in which Josephus Mentions the Divine Books.
... 3. From the death of Moses to the death of Artaxerxes, who succeeded Xerxes as king
of Persia, the prophets that followed Moses wrote the history of their own ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the manner in which.htm

An American Reformer.
... Lord at Jerusalem is said to have been built "according to the commandment [margin,
decree] of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia." These three ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /18 an american reformer.htm

Who was Cyrus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is Nestorianism? Who were the Nestorians? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Esther was appointed “for such a time as this”? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus