Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Harold Holmyard <hholmyard AT ont.com>]

Dear Shoshanna,

> The dates I have are from the creation of the world:
>
> Nevuchadnezar led the Jews into exile in three stages over an 18 year 
> period (3320, 3327, 3338).  Among the exiles were Ezekiel, Daniel, 
> Mordechai.
>
> In 3390 Cyrus granted the Jews permission to return to Israel and 
> re-establish the Temple.
>
> Esther was chosen queen in 3400.  During Pesach 3404 she appeared 
> before the king to plead to nullify Haman's decree.  On 13-14 Adar, 
> 3405, the miracle became a reality.
>
> In 3407 Achashverosh was succeeded by his son, Darius II.  In 3408, 
> Darius authorized the completion of the second temple.  It was 
> completed in 3412.
>
> I meant to say that Mordechai was already an old man during the 
> events of Purim.
>  



HH: Here is material from an article on Mordecai in the International 
Standard Bible Encyclopedia:

The date of the story [of Esther] hinges on the identification of 
Ahasuerus, since no other person mentioned is known from extrabiblical 
documents. Few today doubt that Ahasuerus is to be identified with 
Xerxes I, 486-465 B.C., although the matter is complicated somewhat by 
the consistent LXX rendering Artaxerxes. A fact favoring the 
identification with Xerxes I is that his Greek campaign can explain the 
chronological gap of four years between 1:3 and 2:16.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard