Ezra 7:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Artaxerxes under whom Ezra traveled from Babylon to Jerusalem is believed by Josephus to be Xerxes, the son of Darius, who succeeded him. Additionally, the books of the Paralipomenon indicate that a descendant of Xerxes is referenced here, and he is also referred to as Artaxerxes among his peers. Darius, during whose reign the temple was constructed, ruled for thirty-six years; following him, Xerxes held the throne for twenty years; then Artabanus ruled for seven months (though chroniclers count this as a year); thereafter, Artaxerxes reigned for forty years.