A SUGGESTED TIMELINE

605 BC First Jewish exiles deported to Babylon

597 BC Second deportation to Babylon

586 BC Jerusalem destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar—
Third deportation to Babylon

539 BC Cyrus, King of Persia, conquers Babylon

538 BC Cyrus issues his decree to the Jewish exiles

537 BC About 50,000 Jews return to the land, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua

536 BC Foundation of the temple laid

536–520 BC Work interrupted because of official opposition

520 BC Work resumed; ministry of Haggai and Zechariah

515 BC The temple completed

458 BC Ezra the scribe arrives in Jerusalem

444 BC Nehemiah arrives; walls rebuilt, gates restored