Meanwhile, pagans and idolaters could scoff and point to the fall of Jerusalem and its Temple evidence of Yahweh's weakness of Israel's God. This led the people to fear lest Nebuchadnezzar would avenge his death, whereupon they fled into Egypt 2 K.25:26. As Ezra examined the list, he noticed that members of a special group were missing. 41:14) and speaks of her suffering in chains and bondage (42:20-24). Egypt, fearing the sudden rise of the Neo-Babylonian empire, seized control of Assyrian territory up to the Euphrates river in Syria, but Babylon counter-attacked. The Ten Tribes Lost. He also stated that archaeology suggests that the return was a "trickle" taking place over decades, rather than a single event. Maps are essential for any serious Bible study. Ezekiel denounced such men as "a rebellious house," and parts of the Book of Isaiah written during exilic times likewise expressed concern over the adoption of Babylonian traditions (Isa. Elders supervised the Jewish communities, and Ezekiel was one of several prophets who kept alive the hope of one day returning home. No doubt some of them as individuals were faithful to the worship of Jehovah and may have found their way back to Palestine under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah. According to the book of Ezra, the Persian Cyrus the Great ended the exile in 538 BCE,[15] the year after he captured Babylon. (3) Their government. In only fifty-two days, the walls were restored (Neh. Jerusalems walls and gates were still in ruins. (7) The story of Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and their interpretation: (a) the image dream, (b) the tree dream. Some of the young nobility of Judah were taken to Babylon. (2) The second invasion and captivity. Indeed, their personal fortunes were undoubtedly better than those who remained behind. He enforced the separation law concerning mixed marriages, as well as the Sabbath observance. One of their places of dwelling was called Tel Aviv (Ezek. Nevertheless, the work continued under Nehemiahs tenacious leadership. It was a land of traffic and merchants and fruitful fields (Ez.17:4-5). The southern kingdom of Israel, known as Judah, had turned from the Lord and committed themselves to evil practices. He sought divine blessings and gave thanks to God for all his successes. As punishment, he was forced to witness the death of his sons and then he was blinded. Although the Jews suffered greatly and faced powerful cultural pressures in a foreign land, they maintained their national spirit and religious identity. 3:8). Yet Scripture admonishes us not to despise the day of small things (Zech. Since the Temple was available neither for sacrifices nor festival celebrations, solemn days of penance and prayer commemorated Jerusalem's fall (Zech. An analogous situation exists today among Christians. A notable exception was the prophet Jeremiah, who was rightly viewed by the Babylonians as a vocal opponent of the rebellion. as a result of Judean rebellions against Babylonian rule. Many secondand third-generation believers live comfortably in their spiritual complacency. Many scholars cite 597 bce as the date of the first deportation, for in that year King Jehoiachin was deposed and apparently sent into exile with his family, his court, and thousands of workers. Receive notification whenever items are posted to this site: You can change your delivery preferences in your subscription dashboard. This was the wave that took Ezekiel into captivity (II Kings 24:6-16). They so far failed of their expectations that there is danger that they will give up their proper regard for Jehovah. The Return from Babylon. However, since this included a high percentage of court officials, the priesthood, skilled craftsmen, and other wealthy citizens, the exiles constituted the majority of the cultural elite of nation. Required fields are marked *. under the leadership of a man named Zerubbabel. He exemplified the principle of Ecclesiastes 12:13: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.. Zedekiah, who, like his predecessor Jehoiakim, had taken the oath as a vassal of Nebuchadrezzar (Ezek. Even in bitter captivity there was hope for Gods people, the promises were being fulfilled and the Scriptures continued to be written: 1 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion. The Period of the Captivity. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/Babylonian-Captivity, Jewish Virtual Library - The Jewish Temples: The Babylonian Exile, JewishEncyclopedia.com - Captivity, or Exile, Babylonian, biblical literature: The Babylonian Exile and the restoration. It is a sad situation when people fail to use their God-given abilities for His glory. It would have been very help if any one returned who had seen first temple ( Solomons temple) of course there were but by name. What the Bible says about Assyrian . And he carried Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. The return of the exiles to Judah, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, was accomplished in three main stages. After 30 years of imprisonment, Evil-merodach ascended the throne of Babylon and at the beginning of his rule he chose to honor the Judean prisoner Jehoiachin. Babylonian Captivity. 49:22). [28] The Book of Lamentations arose from the Babylonian captivity. With letters from a new Persian king, Artaxerxes, Ezra the priest and scribe led a second expedition back to the Promised Land. He was willing to leave a position of wealth, power, and influence to share in the hardships of his people. Historical writings were compiled and revised in accordance with the emerging priestly consensus, based especially on the historical conception expressed in the Book of Deuteronomy. These prophecies began by recounting the incidents of the prophet's call and the incidents between the first and the second captivities; they then denounce those nations that had part in the destruction of Jerusalem and those that had been bitter and oppressive in their dealings with Israel and Judah; they close with messages of comfort and cheer for the exiled people; (2) Daniel. 25:11-12 ). His son Jehoiachin, also called Jeconiah, continued to resist until he was forced to surrender after a reign of only three months. Zedekiah, also called Mattaniah, managed to reign eleven years before rebelling and the third wave destroyed what was left of Judah. Bibis offices = 1996 to 1999 ;then 2009 until April 2019 caretaker [powerless king] until coalition Gantz May 2020 then add 13more months for removal June 2021[losses election March ;removed 13th June 2021 ;14 years Total Prophecy fulfilled = the Anti-Christ..Now watch for his court will be called to judgement[Dan7;26] so he will never be able to take the throne legally again! [30] Israeli philosopher and Biblical scholar Yehezkel Kaufmann said "The exile is the watershed. Most of Jeremiah deals with Zedekiah's reign. B. Spiritual and religious reformation occurred at that time. In the last decades of the century, Assyria was overthrown by Babylon, an Assyrian province. (4) Their religion. With the exile, the religion of Israel comes to an end and Judaism begins. 2:3; Zech. This period is calculated to bring great discouragement to the Jews. Babylon attacked Judah and Jehoiakim surrendered to Babylon for three years, but he rebelled and Judah suffered its first devastating blow by Nebuchadnezzar. Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim's son, took the throne but ruled only three months then surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. Picture Study Bible - StudyBible with Pictures and Maps. Some of them such as Daniel obtained high position. Some, however, maintained their faith and others responded to prophetic preaching of repentance (Ezek. As believers, we should be active and willing to do Gods will, for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required (Lk. [22], The Cyrus Cylinder, an ancient tablet on which is written a declaration in the name of Cyrus referring to restoration of temples and repatriation of exiled peoples, has often been taken as corroboration of the authenticity of the biblical decrees attributed to Cyrus,[23] but other scholars point out that the cylinder's text is specific to Babylon and Mesopotamia and makes no mention of Judah or Jerusalem. [citation needed], In Rabbinic literature, Babylon was one of a number of metaphors for the Jewish diaspora. All three of these books should be read by following the outline given in "The Bible Book by Book.". They were encouraged in this hope by certain prophets among them, against whom Jeremiah and Ezekiel worked in vain (Jer. Although the Levites were men with many privileges associated with Temple service, not one chose to go. A few of the Hebrew people . Israels returns reveal how easily God can conform the hearts of kings and rulers to His will (Prov. If you can imagine this, then you have an idea of what happened during the Babylonian captivity. [15], Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem, his capture of King Jeconiah, his appointment of Zedekiah in his place, and the plundering of the city in 597 BCE are corroborated by a passage in the Babylonian Chronicles:[17]:293. According to many historical-critical scholars, the Torah was redacted during this time, and began to be regarded as the authoritative text for Jews. Nehemiah got permission from the Babylon was the first exile. When the Jews[3] returned home, they found a mixture of peoples practicing a religion very similar to their own. Strengthened by prayer, he spoke to the king and, in 445 B.C., was granted permission to go to Judah (Neh. It was Nehemiah, during this Persian period of Israels history, who opened the door for more Jews exiled in heathen countries to return to the Promised Land (cf. 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill! but how will he be the ultimate ruler per Daniel 11 king of the north- Daniel2 of the divided kingdom under Rome[Judah to the South]? Re the Babylonian Captivity, the Old Testament . God always keeps His promises, even the unpleasant ones. (1) Their home. Including women and children it is estimated that 14,000 to 18,000 people would be the full number. They have great need that some one tell them the significance of their suffering and point out for them some word of hope for the future. [24] The population of the province was greatly reduced from that of the kingdom, archaeological surveys showing a population of around 30,000 people in the 5th to 4th centuries BCE. The captivity formally ended in 538 bce, when the Persian conqueror of Babylonia, Cyrus the Great, gave the Jews permission to return to Palestine. The nobles and elite of Judean society remained in Babylonian captivity years after they were driven out from Judah by Nebuchadnezzar.After seventy years, another powerful kingdom rose east of Mesopotamia led by King Cyrus of Persia of the Achaemenid dynasty. Against Babylon's superior forces, Jehoiakim retained no territory except Jerusalem when he died of natural causes. Although most lived in the environs of the great city of Babylon, it is not known whether they formed a close knit community or were scattered throughout the area. This sin was serious because it encouraged idolatry. (9) The feast of Belshazzar. Your email address will not be published. I agree with Edmund. The captivity formally ended in 538 bce, when the Persian conqueror of Babylonia, Cyrus the Great, gave the Jews permission to return to Palestine. In the process Josiah, the king of Judah, was killed in a battle with the Egyptians at the Battle of Megiddo (609 BCE). Zerubbabel was to lead the first aliyah. This was 597 B.C., at which time king Jehoiakim and 10.000 of the people were carried into captivity. 2 We hung our harps Upon the willows in the midst of it. The event is described in the Hebrew Bible, and its historicity is supported by archaeological and extra-biblical evidence. [20], Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian forces returned in 589 BCE and rampaged through Judah, leaving clear archaeological evidence of destruction in many towns and settlements there. In this hope by certain prophets among them, against whom Jeremiah and Ezekiel one! Exception was the wave that took Ezekiel into captivity ( II Kings 24:6-16 ) 24:6-16 ) called Mattaniah, to! The separation law concerning mixed marriages, as well as the Sabbath observance solemn days of penance and prayer Jerusalem. 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