In brief
Artaxerxes is a king of Persia whose reign matters greatly in the return from exile. In the seventh year of his reign, he sends Ezra, a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, to Jerusalem with gifts for the temple. In the twentieth year, he allows Nehemiah, his cupbearer, to go and rebuild the city and its walls. The Bible sees God's good hand in his kindness (Ezra 7:27, Nehemiah 2:8).
What does the name Artaxerxes mean?
Artaxerxes is the Greek form of a Persian name, Artakhshassa, generally linked to the idea of a reign founded on truth or righteous order. The Bible does not comment on this name. Several Persian kings bore it; the one in Ezra 7 and Nehemiah is most often identified as Artaxerxes I.
The story of Artaxerxes
A decree that stops the work
Ezra 4:7-23Ezra 4 reports that in Artaxerxes' time, adversaries of the Jews write to him that Jerusalem is a rebellious city and that its rebuilt walls will cost him tribute. After searching the archives, the king orders the work on the city to stop until he gives permission. The opponents then halt the work by force.
Ezra sent to Jerusalem
Ezra 7:1-10In the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, Ezra, a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, leaves Babylon for Jerusalem with priests, Levites and other Israelites. The text says the king grants him everything he asks, “according to Yahweh his God’s hand on him.” The journey takes four months.
The royal letter for the temple
Ezra 7:11-26Artaxerxes, who calls himself “king of kings,” gives Ezra an official letter. He allows any willing Israelite to go, offers silver and gold to the God of Israel, orders the treasurers to supply whatever Ezra asks and exempts the temple servants from tax. He charges Ezra to appoint judges and to teach the laws of God.
Ezra blesses God for the king's heart
Ezra 7:27-28Ezra does not celebrate Artaxerxes' generosity as mere political calculation. He blesses the Lord “who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem.” Strengthened by God's hand upon him, he gathers the leaders of Israel to leave. For Ezra, the king's heart remains in God's hand.
The cupbearer's sorrow
Nehemiah 2:1-4In Artaxerxes' twentieth year, Nehemiah, his cupbearer, serves him the wine. The king notices his sadness and says it must be sorrow of heart. Seized with fear, Nehemiah explains that the city of his fathers' tombs lies in ruins. The king asks: “What is your request?” Before answering, Nehemiah prays to the God of heaven.
Permission to rebuild Jerusalem
Nehemiah 2:5-9Nehemiah asks to be sent to Judah to rebuild the city. The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asks how long the journey will take, then agrees to let him go. He gives letters for the governors and for Asaph, keeper of the forest, to obtain timber, and sends army officers with him. Nehemiah credits “the good hand of my God.”
Twelve years as governor
Nehemiah 5:14; 13:6-7Artaxerxes appoints Nehemiah governor of the land of Judah, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of his reign. During those twelve years, neither Nehemiah nor his brothers live on the governor's allowance. Nehemiah then returns to the king, and later obtains permission once more to go back to Jerusalem.
What Artaxerxes teaches us
- The hearts of rulers are in God's hand: he can move a pagan king to serve his plans.
- Prayer comes before boldness: Nehemiah prays to the God of heaven before answering the king.
- A door closed by a decree can reopen when God decides the time has come.
- Recognizing God's good hand behind human favor guards against pride and feeds praise.
- God uses our places in society, like that of cupbearer, to advance his work.
Key verses
Ezra credits God, not his own skill, for the king's favor. The God of Israel moves the heart of the Persian ruler to beautify his house in Jerusalem.
Between the king's question and his answer, Nehemiah prays to the God of heaven. This brief prayer grows out of months of pleading (Nehemiah 1) and comes before a bold request.
The king grants letters and timber. Nehemiah sees God's hand in it: behind Artaxerxes' decision, it is God who opens the way for the rebuilding.
Sermons about Artaxerxes
- Nehemiah 2: What God Put in Your HeartThe preacher recalls that Artaxerxes was the most powerful man of his time and had himself forbidden the rebuilding of the walls (Ezra 4:7-23). Appearing before him took a real step of faith.
- Nehemiah 1: Four Pillars for Praying with PowerThe message stresses that Nehemiah asks God to grant him favor before “this man,” Artaxerxes, king of the Persian Empire: he prays for access and influence with him.
- Ezra 1: From Exile to Freedom, the Temple Comes FirstThe preacher puts the Persian kings back in order and recalls that Ezra, who stayed in Babylon, receives from Artaxerxes the mission to see what is happening in Jerusalem, before a moral renewal of the people.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Artaxerxes help Ezra and Nehemiah?
The Bible does not detail his political motives. His letter shows he wanted to avoid the wrath of the God of heaven on his kingdom (Ezra 7:23). But Ezra and Nehemiah give the deeper reason: the Lord moved the king's heart, and his good hand was on them (Ezra 7:27, Nehemiah 2:8).
What does the name Artaxerxes mean?
Artaxerxes is the Greek form of the Persian Artakhshassa. It is generally linked to the idea of a reign founded on truth or righteous order. Several Persian rulers bore this name. The king of Ezra 7 and Nehemiah is most often identified as Artaxerxes I, but the Bible does not specify which.
Where can I find Artaxerxes in the Bible?
He appears in Ezra 4:7-23, where a king of that name stops the work on Jerusalem, then in Ezra 7 and 8:1 with Ezra's mission. The book of Nehemiah mentions him in chapter 2, and again in Nehemiah 5:14 and 13:6 for the years Nehemiah served as governor.