Arphaxad was one of the three sons of Shem, the son of the patriarch Abraham. He is mentioned in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. According to the biblical narrative, Arphaxad was born when Shem was 100 years old and lived for 438 years.
In the Book of Genesis, Arphaxad is listed among the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The genealogy includes a list of the descendants of Adam and Eve, which is believed to connect Jesus to the Jewish patriarchs. Arphaxad is mentioned as one of the great-grandfathers of Abraham, the father of the Jewish people.
The name Arphaxad is believed to be of Persian origin and means “he who divides.” It is thought to refer to the division of the earth among the sons of Shem, which occurred after the flood.
Arphaxad is not a major figure in the Bible and his life is not described in detail. However, he is mentioned as one of the key figures in the genealogy of Jesus Christ and is therefore considered to be an important figure in Christian history.
King of Persia
Artaxerxes was the name of two Persian kings mentioned in the Bible. The first Artaxerxes (also called Artaxerxes I Longimanus) reigned from 465 to 424 BC, and the second Artaxerxes (also called Artaxerxes II Mnemon) reigned from 404 to 358 BC.
Artaxerxes I
- Reign: 465 to 424 BC
- Issued the decree that allowed the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
- Ezra and Nehemiah were Jewish leaders who worked under Artaxerxes’ rule.
Artaxerxes II
- Reign: 404 to 358 BC
- Issued the decree that allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls.
- Supported the Jewish high priest Jaddua.
| Name | Reign | Significant Acts |
|---|---|---|
| Artaxerxes I (Longimanus) | 465-424 BC | Issued decree allowing Jews to rebuild temple in Jerusalem |
| Artaxerxes II (Mnemon) | 404-358 BC | Issued decree allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild city walls |
Associated with Ezra and Nehemiah
Artaxerxes appears as a patron figure in the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah. He is a Persian king who, according to the Old Testament, ruled from 465 to 424 BCE.
In the book of Ezra, Artaxerxes is described as the king who granted Ezra permission to lead a group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Ezra was sent to Jerusalem in 458 BCE with a royal decree from Artaxerxes that authorized him to appoint magistrates and judges in Judea and to enforce the law of God and the king.
In the book of Nehemiah, Artaxerxes is again mentioned as the king who granted permission to Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was sent to Jerusalem in 444 BCE with a letter from Artaxerxes that authorized him to rebuild the walls and to serve as governor of Judea.
| Character | Role in Jewish History |
|---|---|
| Ezra | Led a group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. |
| Nehemiah | Rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and served as governor of Judea. |
Artaxerxes in the Bible
Artaxerxes was a king who ruled during the Persian Empire. He is mentioned in several books of the Bible, including Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.
There were two Persian Kings named Artaxerxes who are mentioned in the Bible:
- Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC): Also known as “Longimanus” (Long-handed). He is mentioned in the Book of Ezra and reigned during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
- Artaxerxes II (404-358 BC): Also known as “Mnemon” (of Great Memory). He is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah and the Book of Esther.
Both Artaxerxes I and Artaxerxes II played significant roles in the history of the Israelites and the Persian Empire.
Here is a table summarizing the key information about Artaxerxes in the Bible:
| Name | Reign | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Artaxerxes I | 465-424 BC | – Allowed Ezra to lead a group of exiled Israelites back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple (Ezra 7-10) – Issued a decree authorizing Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2) |
| Artaxerxes II | 404-358 BC | – Confirmed Nehemiah’s authority to govern Jerusalem (Nehemiah 5) – Mentioned in the Book of Esther as the husband of Queen Esther |
Mentioned In The Books Of
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
Artaxerxes In The Bible
Artaxerxes was the fifth king of Persia, reigning from 465 to 424 BCE. He is mentioned in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Bible.
Artaxerxes was the son of Xerxes I and the grandson of Darius I. He ascended to the throne after the assassination of his father in 465 BCE. During his reign, he faced a number of rebellions, including the Ionian Revolt and the revolt of Inaros in Egypt. He also fought against the Greeks during the Greco-Persian Wars.
Artaxerxes is best known for his support of the Jewish people. In 457 BCE, he issued a decree allowing the Jews to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. He also appointed Ezra as governor of Judea and Nehemiah as his cupbearer and commissioner to oversee the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Events During His Reign
- 457 BCE: Artaxerxes issues a decree allowing the Jews to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
- 445 BCE: Ezra arrives in Jerusalem as governor of Judea.
- 444 BCE: Nehemiah is appointed cupbearer and commissioner to oversee the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
- 424 BCE: Artaxerxes dies, and is succeeded by his son, Darius II.
| Name | Title | Reign |
|---|---|---|
| Artaxerxes | King of Persia | 465-424 BCE |
| Ezra | Governor of Judea | 457-443 BCE |
| Nehemiah | Cupbearer and commissioner to oversee the rebuilding of Jerusalem | 445-432 BCE |
Alright folks, that about wraps up our dive into the enigmatic Artaxerxes! Whether you’re a seasoned Bible reader or a curious newcomer, we hope you found this little exploration informative and engaging. Thanks for hanging out with us on this biblical journey. Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting topics and insights in the future. In the meantime, be sure to swing by again soon for more thought-provoking articles and discussions. Stay curious, stay informed, and have a splendid day, folks!