Biblical Facts - The Return Period of the Old Testament
The
Return Period of the Old Testament refers to the historical era when the people
of Judah, previously exiled in Babylon, were allowed to go back to their
homeland. This phase spans roughly from 538 BC to about 400 BC, beginning with
the decree of Cyrus the Great and ending with the final reforms of Nehemiah and
the prophetic ministry of Malachi. It marks a critical transitional period in
biblical history: a time when God’s people moved from defeat to restoration,
from captivity to renewed covenant commitment. The Return Period is recorded
primarily in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, with
additional insights from selected passages in Chronicles and the prophets.
Historical
Background
Before
the Return Period came the tragic era of the Babylonian Exile. In 586 BC,
Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem and its temple and deported a large
portion of the Judean population to Babylon. However, about fifty years later,
a major political shift occurred. The Persians, under Cyrus the Great,
conquered Babylon in 539 BC. Unlike the Babylonians, the Persians allowed
deported peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their religious
centers. This imperial policy created the opportunity for Judah’s restoration.
In
538 BC, Cyrus issued a famous decree permitting the Jews to return to Jerusalem
and rebuild the Temple of the Lord. This decree marks the official beginning of
the Return Period.
First
Return: Zerubbabel and the Rebuilding of the Temple
The
first group of exiles, numbering around 50,000, returned under the leadership
of Zerubbabel (a descendant of King David) and Joshua the high priest. Their
initial task was to restore worship. They rebuilt the altar and reinstituted
the sacrificial system even before laying the foundations of the Temple.
However,
their work slowed due to external opposition and internal discouragement. The
people struggled with poverty, the harsh conditions of the land, and pressure
from neighboring groups such as the Samaritans. For nearly fifteen years, the
rebuilding came to a halt.
The
prophets Haggai and Zechariah played a critical role in reigniting the work.
They encouraged the people to prioritize God’s house over their own comforts
and assured them of God’s continued presence. Under their prophetic guidance,
the Temple was finally completed in 516 BC—exactly seventy years after its
destruction. This restored temple, sometimes called the Second Temple, became
the center of Jewish worship for centuries, lasting until its destruction by
the Romans in AD 70.
Second Return: Ezra and Spiritual Renewal
The
second major wave of return occurred about eighty years later, during the reign
of the Persian king Artaxerxes I. In 458 BC, Ezra, a well-learned scribe and
priest, led another group back to Judah. While Zerubbabel focused on physical
rebuilding, Ezra’s mission centered on spiritual reformation.
Upon
arriving, Ezra found that many of the people had assimilated into the
surrounding cultures, including intermarriage with pagan nations—a direct
violation of the covenant. Deeply grieved, Ezra led the people in repentance,
confession, and covenant renewal. He emphasized the authority of God’s Law and
restored the centrality of Scripture in the life of the nation. His work helped
form the early foundations of Judaism as it developed in later centuries,
especially the emphasis on reading, teaching, and preserving the Torah.
Third Return: Nehemiah and the Rebuilding of
the Walls
About
thirteen years after Ezra’s return, another important figure emerged: Nehemiah,
the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. When Nehemiah learned that the walls of
Jerusalem still lay in ruins, he was deeply distressed. Gaining the king’s
permission and support, he traveled to Jerusalem in 445 BC.
Nehemiah’s
leadership style was marked by strategic planning, prayerful dependence, and
courage in the face of intense opposition. Despite threats, mockery, and
political intrigue, Nehemiah organized the people effectively, and the walls of
Jerusalem were rebuilt in just fifty-two days. This achievement restored the
city’s security and dignity.
Nehemiah
also joined hands with Ezra to bring about further spiritual reforms. Together
they gathered the people for a public reading of the Law, confession of sins,
and renewal of the covenant.
Prophetic
Voices of the Return Period
During
this era, the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi delivered messages of
encouragement, warning, and hope.
Haggai urged the people to complete the temple
and reminded them that God’s glory would ultimately fill it.
Zechariah, through visions and symbolic
messages, assured the people of God’s protection and coming Messianic kingdom.
Malachi, the final Old Testament prophet,
confronted spiritual apathy, corrupt priests, mixed marriages, and unfaithful
tithing, while pointing forward to the coming of the Messiah’s forerunner.
Theological
Significance
The
Return Period reveals that God is faithful even when His people fail. Despite
the exile, God preserved a remnant, kept His promises, and restored His people
to their land. The rebuilding of the temple, the revival of Scripture, and the
re-establishment of Jerusalem prepared the stage for the coming of Jesus
Christ.
This
era also highlights themes of repentance, perseverance, worship, and covenant
renewal. The people learned that outward rebuilding meant little without inward
transformation.
Chronological
Timeline of the Return Period
586 BC
Jerusalem and the First Temple destroyed by
Nebuchadnezzar.
Judah’s population is deported to Babylon.
539
BC
Persia conquers Babylon under Cyrus the Great.
Beginning of a new imperial policy allowing
exiled groups to return home.
538
BC
Cyrus issues his decree permitting Jews to
return to Judah and rebuild the Temple.
First return begins under Zerubbabel and
Joshua the High Priest.
537–536
BC
The returning exiles build the altar in
Jerusalem and restart sacrifices.
Foundation of the Second Temple is laid.
530–520
BC
Temple construction pauses due to opposition
from local enemies and internal discouragement.
520
BC
Prophets Haggai and Zechariah begin their
ministries.
They encourage the people to resume temple
construction.
516
BC
Completion of the Second Temple (also called
Zerubbabel’s Temple).
Marks 70 years since the destruction of the
First Temple.
458
BC
Second return takes place under Ezra during
the reign of Artaxerxes I.
Ezra teaches the Law/Torah, leads spiritual
reform, and confronts issues like mixed marriages.
445
BC
Third return led by Nehemiah, cupbearer to
Artaxerxes I.
Nehemiah inspects Jerusalem’s broken walls and
organizes rebuilding efforts.
444 BC
Walls of Jerusalem rebuilt in 52 days under
Nehemiah’s leadership.
Public reading of the Law by Ezra; national
repentance and covenant renewal.
433–432
BC
Nehemiah returns briefly to Persia.
Upon coming back to Jerusalem, he carries out
further reforms concerning temple service, Sabbath observance, and purity of
worship.
430–420
BC (approx.)
Prophet Malachi delivers the final Old
Testament prophecies.
Addresses spiritual decline, corrupt priests,
broken marriages, and careless worship.
Foretells the coming of Elijah-like messenger
who will prepare the way for the Messiah.
End
of the Old Testament Period
After Malachi, there is about 400 years of
silence (no new prophetic revelation).
This prepares the stage for the arrival of
John the Baptist and Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
