Q: How can we confirm that the decree to restore Jerusalem was on 457 B.C.? Ezra 6:14 only mentions there was a decree. How did we find the exact date? — Kackie, from the Philippines
A: Kackie, this is a very important question, and one that deserves a longer, more detailed answer than I can provide here.
Dr. William H. Shea wrote an excellent paper, “When did the Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9:24 Begin?” addressing this question. In his paper, Dr. Shea demonstrates from historical records and the Bible how we can verify the date of 457 B.C.
I encourage you to read his paper on the Biblical Research Institute’s website at: bit.ly/457BCShea.