The Medo-Persian Kingdom, a significant empire in biblical history, is often referenced in the context of its interactions with the Jewish people during the post-exilic period. This empire, which succeeded the Babylonian Empire, played a crucial role in the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish temple. Among the notable kings of this empire mentioned in Scripture are Artaxerxes Longimanus and Ahasuerus.

Artaxerxes Longimanus

Artaxerxes Longimanus, who reigned from 465 to 424 BC, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. He is often identified with the Artaxerxes mentioned in these texts, who showed favor to the Jewish people and supported their efforts to rebuild Jerusalem.

In the book of Ezra, Artaxerxes is depicted as a king who issued a decree allowing Ezra, a scribe and priest, to lead a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. Ezra 7:11-13 records, "This is the text of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the LORD, which He had given to Israel: 'Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings. I hereby decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who wish to go to Jerusalem with you, may go.'"

Artaxerxes' support extended to Nehemiah, his cupbearer, who was granted permission to return to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the city's walls. 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.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests."

Ahasuerus

Ahasuerus is another king of the Medo-Persian Empire mentioned in the Bible, most notably in the book of Esther. Ahasuerus is traditionally identified with Xerxes I, who reigned from 486 to 465 BC. The book of Esther provides a detailed account of his reign, focusing on the events that led to the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them.

Esther 1:1 introduces Ahasuerus: "This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush." The narrative unfolds with Queen Esther, a Jewish woman, rising to prominence in the Persian court and using her influence to thwart the plans of Haman, an official who sought to destroy the Jews.

Ahasuerus' reign is marked by his lavish banquets and the dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Jewish people, as recorded in Esther 9:1 : "On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but the opposite occurred, and the Jews overpowered those who hated them."

The accounts of Artaxerxes Longimanus and Ahasuerus in Scripture highlight the providential role these Persian kings played in the preservation and restoration of the Jewish people during a critical period in their history. Their interactions with key biblical figures underscore the theme of divine sovereignty and faithfulness throughout the biblical narrative.Ezra 6:14
And the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built, 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 7:1
Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 1:1
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even to Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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