The record of this Persian period, with its story of Nehemiah who made his last journey from Persia to Jerusalem in 432 B.C., constitutes the latest history in the Old Testament. Although some of the Old Testament was written after this date, there is no further history of the Hebrews, or Jews, in the Bible until the birth of Jesus is recorded in the New Testament. Other sources than the Bible must be used for history between these dates. The writings of the Jew, Josephus, first century A.D.: The Wars of the Jews" and "The Antiquities of the Jews;" and the First Book of the Maccabees, in the Apocrypha are especially valuable.
- from page 80, Israel's Religious Development