What year was the book of Ezra written?

The book of Ezra was written around 440-400 BC. This is based on historical context and internal evidence within the book itself. The events described in Ezra take place during the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, who ruled from 559-530 BC. The book details the return of the Israelites from exile in Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which was completed in 516 BC. Additionally, Ezra himself is said to have arrived in Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes I of Persia, who reigned from 465-424 BC. This timeframe aligns with the dating of the book to the mid-5th century BC. The book of Ezra serves as a historical account of the restoration of the Jewish people and their worship after the exile, emphasizing the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises to his people.