Artaxerxes
The Persian king who first halted Jerusalem’s rebuilding, then sent Ezra and Nehemiah to restore it.
Old Testament · 465–424 BC · Ezra, Nehemiah · Also known as King of Persia, King of kings
About Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes ruled Persia after his father, Xerxes. Early on, after complaints from Jerusalem’s enemies, he ordered work on the city stopped "until another commandment shall be given from me." Later he sent Ezra the priest with silver, gold and authority, writing as "Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven." Years later his cupbearer Nehemiah served him with a sad face. "Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart." Hearing of Jerusalem’s ruined walls, he asked, "For what dost thou make request?" and sent Nehemiah with letters and timber to rebuild. Both Ezra and Nehemiah credited "the good hand of my God."
Most historians identify him as Artaxerxes I, son of Xerxes (the Ahasuerus of Esther). A cupbearer tasted the king’s wine and was a trusted confidant. Showing sadness before a Persian king could be dangerous, which is why Nehemiah was "very sore afraid."
The story
Until another commandment
Enemies of the returned exiles wrote to Artaxerxes that Jerusalem was "the rebellious and the bad city." He replied, "Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me."
Ezra 4:7-23
Unto Ezra the priest
"Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven." He sent silver and gold for the temple and authority to appoint judges who knew God’s law. "Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven." Ezra blessed God, "which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart."
Ezra 7:11-28
Why is thy countenance sad?
"In the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king," Nehemiah served his wine looking sad. "Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart." Nehemiah explained that Jerusalem lay in ruins. "Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven."
Nehemiah 2:1-4
The queen also sitting by him
"And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me." He gave letters to the governors and to the keeper of the king’s forest for timber, "according to the good hand of my God upon me."
Nehemiah 2:5-9
Key moments
- Halts the rebuilding: "Until another commandment." (Ezra 4:21)
- Sends Ezra: "King of kings, unto Ezra the priest." (Ezra 7:12)
- Notices Nehemiah’s sorrow: "Why is thy countenance sad?" (Nehemiah 2:2)
- Sends Nehemiah: With letters and timber. (Nehemiah 2:6-8)
Questions about Artaxerxes
In meetBible these answers are given in Artaxerxes’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you help Ezra and Nehemiah?
In my letter to Ezra I gave one reason: "Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?" Both men gave another: Ezra blessed God "which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart," and Nehemiah said I granted his request "according to the good hand of my God upon me."
Didn’t you once stop Jerusalem being rebuilt?
Yes. When Jerusalem’s neighbours wrote that it was "the rebellious and the bad city," I ordered, "cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me." Notice I left the door open: "until another commandment." Years later, through my own cupbearer, that commandment came.
Why did you notice Nehemiah was sad?
He had never been sad in my presence before, and a king’s servants were expected to be cheerful. "Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart." Nehemiah admits, "Then I was very sore afraid." Instead of anger, I asked, "For what dost thou make request?"
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Ezra 7:11-28; Nehemiah 2:1-9.