עזרא, פרק ו׳, פסוק ט״ו

After a long period of labor, a monumental milestone is achieved as the Second Temple finally stands complete. The construction work reaches its absolute end, bringing the massive building project to a successful close [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, רב סעדיה גאון].

The historic completion occurs on the third day of the month of Adar, during the sixth year of King Darius's reign. Based on this specific timeline, commentators calculate the total duration of the Temple's construction, though there is a slight difference of opinion regarding the exact timeframe. Some calculate that the building process took exactly four years [רש״י], while another approach concludes that the construction lasted for four years and six months [מלבי״ם].

The involvement of King Darius prompts a deeper historical discussion regarding the identities of the Persian kings associated with this era: Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes. There are two primary ways to understand who these rulers were [רב סעדיה גאון]. One approach, rooted in Talmudic tradition, suggests that these three names actually belong to a single individual, with each name reflecting a different aspect of his character and status. He was called Cyrus because he was a worthy and proper king, Artaxerxes was a title reflecting his royal authority, and Darius was his primary name because he sought God during his lifetime. Alternatively, a different historical perspective maintains that these were indeed three distinct kings [רב סעדיה גאון]. According to this view, they divided Nebuchadnezzar's vast empire among themselves, with Cyrus ruling over Babylon, Darius taking control of Media, and Artaxerxes reigning over Persia.