Ezra and Nehemiah timeline

The deportation of Jewish people from the northern kingdom (Israel) in 720 BC and the southern kingdom (Judah) in 586 BC is one of the most important events in the Bible. The importation of non-Jewish people into the central portion of the land became known as Samaria. By the time of the New Testament, Jewish people and “Samaritans” were on very unfriendly terms, all of it due to religious and cultural differences. Only a very small group returned to Judah when given permission by the Persians. This group was led first by Ezra and Zerubbabel, and then by Nehemiah. This timeline will help you set the stage for any teaching related to the writings credited to Ezra and Nehemiah, and also to several prophets who ministered during that time or shortly thereafter. The Judeans, or “Jews,” who returned to Jerusalem prospered. By the time Jesus lived, they had grown again into a thriving nation.