# Artaxerxes # ## Facts: ## Artaxerxes was a king who reigned over the Persian empire from about 464 to 424 BC. * During Artaxerxes' reign, the Israelites from Judah were in exile in Babylon, which was under the control of Persia at that time. * Artaxerxes allowed Ezra the priest and other Jewish leaders to leave Babylon and go back to Jerusalem to teach the Israelites the Law of God. * Later during this time, Artaxerxes also allowed his cupbearer Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to lead the Jews in rebuilding the walls surrounding the city. * Because Babylon was under the rule of Persia, Artaxerxes was sometimes called the "king of Babylon." * Note that Artaxerxers is not the same person as Xerxes (Ahasuerus). (Translation suggestions: [Translate Names](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)) (See also: [Ahasuerus](../names/ahasuerus.md), [Babylon](../names/babylon.md), [cupbearer](../other/cupbearer.md), [Ezra](../names/ezra.md), [Nehemiah](../names/nehemiah.md), [Persia](../names/persia.md)) ## Bible References: ## * [Ezra 04:7-8](rc://en/tn/help/ezr/04/07) * [Ezra 07:1-5](rc://en/tn/help/ezr/07/01) * [Nehemiah 02:01](rc://en/tn/help/neh/02/01) * [Nehemiah 13:6-7](rc://en/tn/help/neh/13/06) ## Word Data: ## * Strong's: H783