| Ezra 4:5 |
The people of the land hired counselors to work against the Israelites from the reigns of Cyrus (539–530 b.c.) to Darius (522–486) |
| Ezra 4:6 |
Accusations arose during the reign of Xerxes (Ahasuerus) (486–464) |
| Ezra 4:7–23 |
Accusations arose during the reign of Artaxerxes (464–423):
- First threat: they will withhold money (v. 13)
- Second threat: the king is dishonored (v. 14)
- Third threat: they have rebelled before (v. 15)
- Fourth threat: they will take over the whole area (v. 16)
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| Ezra 4:24–6:12 |
Work on the temple stopped from 536–520; Darius finally gives order to rebuild it |