Artaxerxes

Artaxerxes is the Greek form of a name borne by several Persian kings. Two are relevant to the biblical narrative. (1.) The king who halted the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem in response to a complaint from the inhabitants of Samaria (Ezra 4:7–23), probably identified with the Smerdis of classical sources. (2.) The long-reigning Artaxerxes I Longimanus (464–425 BC), in whose seventh year Ezra led a second return of exiles to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:1) and in whose twentieth year Nehemiah received permission to rebuild the city walls (Nehemiah 2:1–8). Both episodes make Artaxerxes I a pivotal figure in the restoration of the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile.