Artaxerxes

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: From Old Persian Artaxšaçā (“whose rule is through truth/justice”), reflected in Hebrew as אֲרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא (’Artachshast’).
• Period/Era: Post-Exilic (Persian period, 5th century BC).
• Main References: Ezra 4:7–23; Ezra 7; Nehemiah 2:1–8; Nehemiah 5:14; Nehemiah 13:6.
• Key Connections: Ezra the scribe; Nehemiah the cupbearer/governor; the Judean returnees in Yehud (Judah) under Persian administration.

Who was Artaxerxes?

Artaxerxes was a Persian king who appears in the post-exilic narratives as ruler over the province of Judah.
In Ezra, his administration receives accusations about Jerusalem and issues a decree to halt building.
Later, he authorizes Ezra’s journey and supports Nehemiah’s return to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
He functions as a foreign imperial patron whose decisions shape Judean restoration under Persian rule.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Received a letter opposing Jerusalem’s rebuilding and ordered the work stopped (Ezra 4:7–23).
• Event 2: Issued a royal authorization granting Ezra resources and authority for temple worship and instruction in the Law (Ezra 7:11–26).
• Event 3: Permitted Nehemiah to go to Judah and provided letters for safe passage and timber for construction (Neh. 2:1–8).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Artaxerxes’ decrees show how imperial power could both restrict and enable the post-exilic community’s restoration of worship and civic life.

Key Verse

"And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me." — Nehemiah 2:8, ESV