Chronology of Various Minor Prophets

THE CHRONOLOGY OF VARIOUS MINOR PROPHETS THEODORE JAMES TURNER

THE CHRONOLOGY OF EZRA 1 - 6 Sometimes the reigns of the Persian kings are considered spring to spring and sometimes fall to fall. In the case of Cyrus, it is spring to spring. In the case of Artaxerxes, it is fall to fall. Cyrus’ decree 1:1 1st year of Cyrus – March 31, 536 to April 18, 535 BC. Rebuilding of the altar in Jerusalem 3:1, 6 1st year of Cyrus, 7th month, 1st day – Tuesday, September 4, 536 BC. Commencement of the work of building the temple 3:8 2nd year of Cyrus, 2nd month, May 18, 535 B.C. Period of opposition 4:5 from the reign Cyrus to Darius - 536 to September 522 B.C. Reign of False Smerdis (Ahasuerus) 4:7 False Smerdis’ reign of 7 months – March 11 to September 29, 522 B.C. The dedication of the temple completed less than twenty years from the laying of the foundation 6:15 6th year of Darius, 12th month (Adar), 3rd day – Sabbath, March 12, 515 B.C. First Passover kept in the second temple 6:19 6th year of Darius, 1st month, 14th day – Thursday, April 21, 515 B.C.

THE CHRONOLOGY OF EZRA 7 – 10 Ezra leaves Babylon 7:7, 9 7th year of reign of Artaxerxes, 1st month, 1st day – Friday, April 26, 457 B.C. Ezra arrives at Jerusalem 7:7-9 7th year of reign of Artaxerxes, 5th month, 1st day – Thursday, August 22, 457 B.C. Ezra departs from the river of Ahava 8:31 7th year of reign of Artaxerxes, 1st month, 12th day – Tuesday, May 7, 457 B.C. Silver, gold and vessels weighed in the temple 8:33 7th year of reign of Artaxerxes, 5th month, 4th day – Sunday, August 25, 457 B.C. Ezra’s confession 10:9 8th year of reign of Artaxerxes, 9th month, 20th day – Monday, January 6, 456 B.C. Examination for marriage reform commences 10:16 8th year of reign of Artaxerxes, 10th month, 1st day – Friday, January 17, 456 B.C. Examination for marriage reform ends 10:17 8th year of reign of Artaxerxes, 1st month, 1st day – Tuesday, April 15, 456 B.C.

THE CHRONOLOGY OF NEHEMIAH Sometimes the reigns of the Persian kings are considered spring to spring and sometimes fall to fall. While in the case of Cyrus it is spring to spring, in the case of Artaxerxes it is fall to fall. Nehemiah begins his ministry 1:1 20th year of Artaxerxes, 9th month (Chisleu) – December 5, 445 to January 3, 444 BC. Nehemiah sent to Judah 2:1 20th year of Artaxerxes, 1st month – April 3 to May 2, 444 BC. Building of wall commences 6:15 20th year of Artaxerxes, 5th month, 4th day – Sunday, August 2, 444 BC. Building of wall completed after 52 days 6:15 20th year of Artaxerxes, 6th month, 25th day – Monday, September 22, 444 BC. Ezra reads the Book of the Law 8:2 20th year of Artaxerxes, 7th month, 1st day – Sunday, September 27, 444 BC. Feast of booth kept seven days 8:2 21st year of Artaxerxes, 7th month, 15th day to 21st – October 11 to 17, 444 BC. 8th day of the feast 9:1 21st year of Artaxerxes, 7th month, 18th day – Sunday, October 18, 444 BC.

THE CHRONOLOGY OF ESTHER The chronology of Esther centres around the reign of Xerxes (Ahasuerus) the son of Darius who acceded to the throne of Persia in 486 BC (his first regnal year commencing April 6, 485 BC). Xerxes third year 1:3 3rd year of Xerxes’ reign – Tuesday, April 14, 483 to Friday, April 2, 482 BC. Xerxes 180 day feast1 1:3 3rd year, 1st day, 1st month to 3rd day, 7th month – April 14, to Sabbath, October 10, 483 BC. Xerxes 7 day feast 1:3 3rd year, 4th to 10th day, 7th month – Sunday, October 11 to Sabbath2 October 17, 483 BC. Esther taken by Xerxes 2:16 7th year, 10th month, 1st day? – Sunday, December 22, 479 BC. Cast Pur 3:7 12th year of Xerxes, 1st month – Wednesday, April 4, 474 BC. Kings scribed called 3:12 12th year, 13th day, 1st month – Monday, April 16, 474 BC. Set date for the destruction of the Jews 3:13 12th year, 13th day, 12th month – Sabbath, April 5, 473 BC. Esther’s fast 4:16 12th year, 14th to 16th day, 1st month – Tuesday, April 17, Thursday, April 19, 474 BC. Esther goes before Xerxes 5:1 12th year, 16th day, 1st month – Thursday, April 19, 474 BC Mordecai’s counter decree 8:9 12th year, 3rd month, 23rd day – Sunday, June 24, 474 BC. Counter decree in effect 9:15 12th year, 13th and 14th days, 12th month – Sabbath and Sunday, April 5-6, 473 BC.

1 2

It would be natural for Xerxes to commence the feast with the spring festival. The Midrash says that this was a Sabbath (Megillah 12b). It is also the day of atonement.