Second Temple Completed

Illustration of Second Temple Completed
Era
Exile & Return
Date
516 BC โœ“ Historically confirmed
Historical Source
Persian period records
Reference
Ezra 6:14-18

The returned exiles, led by the governor Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua, completed construction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem around 516 BC after a period of opposition and delay. This event followed the decree of Persian king Cyrus that ended the Babylonian exile, allowing Jewish captives to return and restore their homeland. The Temple's dedication enabled the resumption of daily sacrifices and religious festivals central to Jewish covenant life. In Scripture, the completion is detailed in Ezra 6 and affirmed by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah as a sign of God's faithfulness to his promises of restoration after seventy years of judgment.

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Did You Know?

1

This event followed the decree of Persian king Cyrus that ended the Babylonian exile, allowing Jewish captives to return and restore their homeland.

2

The Temple's dedication enabled the resumption of daily sacrifices and religious festivals central to Jewish covenant life.

3

This event is dated to approximately 516 BC in biblical chronology.

4

Key figures involved: Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah Prophet.

5

This took place at or near Jerusalem.

Key Passage

Second Temple Completed

Ezra 6:14-18

A14nd the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, 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 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy, 17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

Read full chapter: Ezra 6 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar conquers the known world, then falls to Persia under Cyrus the Great (539 BC). Greece enters its Classical period - Socrates, Plato, the Parthenon. Rome becomes a republic. The Persian Empire creates the Royal Road and standardized coinage.

When: 586 - 400 BC

Key Civilizations: Neo-Babylonian Empire, Achaemenid Persia, Classical Greece

Biblical Parallels: Ezekiel 1-48 , Daniel 1-12 , Ezra 1-10 , Nehemiah 1-13

Explore Related

Characters 3

Ezra Ezra was a Jewish priest and scribe active in the fifth century BC during the Persian Empire's rule overโ€ฆ Haggai Haggai was a post-exilic prophet active around 520 BC who addressed the Jewish community that had returnedโ€ฆ Zechariah (Prophet) Zechariah was a post-exilic Hebrew prophet active in the late sixth century BC who ministered to the Jewishโ€ฆ

Places 1

Jerusalem Jerusalem stands as the ancient capital of Israel and holds profound religious importance as a holy cityโ€ฆ