Return and Restoration

-538 BC — -400 BC

Cyrus of Persia permitted the Jews to return and rebuild. Under Zerubbabel the Temple was restored; under Nehemiah the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. Ezra renewed covenant faithfulness through Scripture.

Key Events

Decree of Cyrus

538 BC

Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return home and rebuild the Temple — fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy that called Cyrus God's 'anointed' (Isaiah 45:1).

Second Temple Built

520–516 BC

Under Zerubbabel's leadership and encouraged by prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the returned exiles rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Completed in 516 BC, it stands until Herod's renovation and Rome's destruction in AD 70.

Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls

445 BC

Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, receives permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its broken walls. Despite fierce opposition, the walls are completed in just 52 days.