Babylonian Captivity

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The Clemency of Cyrus the Great Toward the Hebrews, housed in the National Library of France: King Cyrus of Persia liberated the Jews who had been taken captive to Babylon.

The Babylonian Captivity, also known as the Babylonian Exile, refers to the deportation and relocation of the people of southern Kingdom of Judah to Babylon during the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event is traditionally seen as a consequence of their disregard for God’s warnings and violation of His laws.

In the 7th century B.C., the southern Kingdom of Judah followed the path of the northern Kingdom of Israel, which had been destroyed by Assyria. Corrupt priests and leaders worshiped foreign gods, while the people ignored the prophetic warnings calling for repentance and foretelling impending judgment. The prophet Jeremiah predicted that the sinful people of Judah would endure 70 years of captivity in Babylon.[1] More than a century earlier, the prophet Isaiah had prophesied that Cyrus (Cyrus II) the Great from the east would overthrow Babylon, free the captive Israelites, and enable the reconstruction of the Jerusalem temple.[2] These prophecies were remarkably fulfilled, demonstrating the enduring power of God‘s word throughout history.

Babylonian Captivity and the Return of the Captives

Category Class. Period (B.C.) King Leader Bible Verses
Babylonian Captivity 1st Captivity 606 The third year of Jehoiakim, the first year of Nebuchadnezzar Da 1:1–6
2nd Captivity 597 The first year of Jehoiachin, the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar 2 Ki 24:10–17
3rd Captivity 586 The eleventh year of Zedekiah, the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar 2 Ki 25:1, 8–9
Return From Babylonian Captives 1st Return 537 First year of Cyrus Zerubbabel Ezra Chapter 1
2nd Return 457 Seventh year of Artaxerxes Ezra Ezra Chapter 7
3rd Return 444 Twentieth year of Artaxerxes Nehemiah Nehemiah Chapters 1–6

Babylonian Captivity

The Geopolitical Situation of Surrounding Powers and the Kingdom of Judah

From the 10th century B.C., the Assyrian Empire (Neo-Assyria), which had dominated much of the ancient world for about 300 years, began to decline after the Babylonian king Nabopolassar’s army invaded Nineveh in 612 B.C. In response to Babylon’s rising power, Egyptian Pharaoh Neco (Necho II) advanced north to Carchemish, seeking to help restore Assyria and expand Egypt’s influence over the northern regions. During this period, King Josiah of Judah, who had pursued an anti-Assyrian policy, confronted Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo and was killed. After this event, the kingdom of Judah fell under Egyptian political interference.

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream by Franz von Hauslab

1st Babylonian Captivity (606 B.C.)

Following King Josiah‘s death in battle, Judah became a vassal of Egypt and turned away from God’s laws and commandments, falling into sin. Despite the prophet Jeremiah’s warnings that disaster and destruction would come upon the kingdom if the people did not heed God’s word, they disregarded his message. Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt took Josiah’s son Jehoahaz to Egypt and installed another of Josiah’s sons, Eliakim, as king, renaming him Jehoiakim.

Shortly thereafter, King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeated Egypt and invaded Judah,[3] deporting members of the royal family and nobility, including Daniel, to Babylon around 606 B.C.[4] Jehoiakim initially submitted to Babylon and served for three years, but in the fourth year of his reign, he rebelled against Babylon.

2nd Babylonian Captivity (597 B.C.)

Following Jehoiakim’s death, Jehoiachin ascended to the throne of Judah. That same year, King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon launched another attack on Jerusalem, plundering and destroying the treasures and furnishings of both the temple and the royal palace. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, including its officials, craftsmen, and blacksmiths, were taken captive to Babylon, while only the poor were left behind to tend the land.[5] Among those exiled to Babylon was the prophet Ezekiel. After Jehoiachin’s captivity, Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was appointed king of Judah.

3rd Babylonian Captivity (586 B.C.)

Zedekiah, the last king of the Kingdom of Judah, ignored God’s warnings to surrender to Babylon. Upon ascending the throne, he allied with the pro-Egyptian faction in an attempt to resist Babylonian rule. As the political situation worsened, Zedekiah sought the prophet Jeremiah’s intercession, asking him to pray to God. However, Jeremiah conveyed God Elohim’s will, which commanded submission to the Babylonian king, and urged surrender.[6][7] In contrast, the false prophet Hananiah opposed Jeremiah’s message, falsely proclaiming that God would overthrow Babylon within two years.[8]

Ultimately, around 586 B.C., the Kingdom of Judah—having rejected God’s guidance and ignored Jeremiah’s warnings—was conquered and destroyed by Babylon. The temple and royal palace were burned down, and all sacred temple articles were looted. The devastation resulted in the deaths of millions and the captivity of hundreds of thousands. King Zedekiah was also taken to Babylon after having his eyes gouged out, where he met his end.[9] Those who were misled by false prophets and disregarded the words of the true prophet suffered dire consequences. In contrast, those who followed the will of God Elohim were spared and, in some cases, attained material success. After the captivity, they returned to their homeland and took part in rebuilding the temple and the city.

Return of the Captives

Fall of Babylon and Liberation of Judah

Babylon, in alliance with Media, conquered Assyria and reached its peak under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 B.C.). During this time, the southern Kingdom of Judah was also brought to ruin. However, Babylon’s period of glory was short-lived.

After the 70 years foretold by the prophet Jeremiah,[1] God raised up King Cyrus of Persia to defeat Babylon and free the exiled people of Judah in 537 B.C.[10][11] This event fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Cyrus, which had been given 170 years earlier.[2]

1st Return and Zerubbabel (537 B.C.)

King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree to release the people of Judah from Babylonian captivity and to rebuild the temple of God, which had been destroyed. He not only returned the sacred vessels of the Jerusalem temple that had been looted by Babylon but also provided the materials necessary for the temple’s reconstruction.[12]

Around 50,000 Israelites, led by Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua, returned to Judah. In the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, they gathered in Jerusalem, built an altar on the site of the former altar, and celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles.

The construction of the temple began the year after their return, under Zerubbabel’s leadership.[13] However, it was halted due to strong opposition from the people of Samaria, who were excluded from the project.[14] As a result, only the temple’s foundation was laid, and progress stalled for approximately 15 years.[15] Through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, God inspired the people, leading Zerubbabel and Joshua to resume the work, with the people offering their support. Governor Tatnai sent a letter to King Darius of Persia to confirm the legality of the reconstruction. King Darius affirmed the decree of his predecessor, King Cyrus, which permitted the rebuilding of the temple, and actively supported the project.

In the sixth year of King Darius (516 B.C.), on the third day of Adar (the 12th month of the Hebrew calendar), the Jerusalem temple was completed. The people gathered to joyfully celebrate the dedication ceremony. The following year, on the 14th day of the first month, they observed the Passover and then celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread, giving thanks to God for moving the foreign king’s heart and enabling the temple’s reconstruction.[16]

2nd Return and Ezra (457 B.C.)

Around 457 B.C., 80 years after the first return of the people of Judah, the second return took place under the leadership of Ezra. A 16th-generation descendant of the high priest Aaron, Ezra was a scholar and priest highly knowledgeable in the law. He had earned the trust of King Artaxerxes of Persia, and his decision to return to Judah was motivated by his commitment to study, follow, and teach the law of Jehovah, along with His statutes and ordinances.[17]

King Artaxerxes granted Ezra permission to return and issued a decree allowing any Israelite who wished to join him in returning to Jerusalem. Offerings designated for use in the temple of God were entrusted to Ezra for transport. Additionally, the decree stated that priests and others serving in the temple of God would be exempt from taxation. The people were to be judged and instructed in accordance with God’s law, and individuals who failed to follow the commands of God and the king would face appropriate punishment.

With God’s help, Ezra gathered those wishing to return to Judah, bringing offerings and sacred vessels for the temple. Before departing for Jerusalem, he discovered that there were no Levites among the second wave of returnees to serve in the temple. Ezra then sought out descendants of the Levites and persuaded them to join the journey. A group of approximately 2,000, including priests, descendants of King David, Levites, and others, set out for Jerusalem. They fasted and prayed for God’s protection, and their prayers were answered, allowing them to reach Jerusalem safely.[18]

3rd Return and Nehemiah (444 B.C.)

In the 20th year of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer, received word that the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed, its gates burned, and its people were enduring great hardship and disgrace. Nehemiah requested permission from King Artaxerxes to travel to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of the city’s walls. The king granted his request, appointing Nehemiah as governor of Judah and issuing a decree to provide materials for the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls.[19]

Around 444 B.C., Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem and conducted a nighttime inspection of the city walls. The walls were in ruins, and its gates had been burned. Nehemiah gathered the priests, nobles, and officials, urging them that God had moved the king’s heart to send him for the rebuilding of the walls. He encouraged them to no longer endure the disgrace they were facing and to work together to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.[20] Inspired by Nehemiah’s words, the people united in their determination and began the reconstruction of the city’s walls.

The construction of the Jerusalem walls soon encountered opposition. Upon hearing of the project, several adversaries, including Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, sought to disrupt the work. They mocked the builders, claiming that the walls would collapse even if a fox climbed on them. Their efforts not only aimed to hinder progress but also included threats of violence. Despite these challenges, Nehemiah and the people remained resolute in their commitment to the project. As the wall neared completion, with half of it built, the adversaries planned to attack the site, kill the workers, and halt the construction. Upon learning of this, Nehemiah encouraged the people to remain fearless and to trust in God.[21] The workers continued to live in Jerusalem, standing guard at night and carrying on with the construction during the day. They worked with one hand while holding weapons with the other, ensuring heightened defense.[22] Nehemiah, forgoing his own entitlements, refrained from collecting taxes for the governor’s salary and focused entirely on the reconstruction of Jerusalem.[23]

Despite considerable opposition, the walls of Jerusalem were completed in just 52 days. When the adversaries and Gentiles heard of this, they were filled with fear and discouragement, recognizing that the completion of the work had been accomplished by the will of God.[24]

A dedication ceremony was held for the wall of Jerusalem. The priests and Levites underwent purification and performed ceremonies to purify the people, the city gates, and the wall. The joyous sounds of celebration from Jerusalem resounded across distant areas.

Lessons

After the northern Kingdom of Israel, which had abandoned God and worshiped foreign gods, was destroyed by the Assyrian Empire, the southern Kingdom of Judah persisted until around 586 B.C. due to the efforts of kings, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, who upheld God’s covenant. Under their leadership, Judah observed the Passover and received God’s protection. However, Judah ultimately failed to remain faithful to God’s law and fell into idolatry, leading to periodic invasions and suffering. In response, God sent prophets to admonish the people and call them back to righteousness, but Judah rejected God’s covenant, resulting in its conquest by Babylon. Jerusalem was destroyed, and many inhabitants were taken into captivity, living in exile for 70 years as foretold by the prophet Jeremiah.[1][25] During this period, those who heeded the messages of true prophets, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, were spared, with some even experiencing physical success. Eventually, these individuals returned to rebuild the temple and the city, working with joy and enthusiasm. In contrast, those who followed the false prophecies of figures like Hananiah and failed to act were doomed to destruction.

The Bible teaches that God’s people are also held captive in spiritual Babylon. Those who heed God’s command, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues,”[26] will leave Babylon and return to spiritual Zion, remaining faithful to God’s covenant and rejoicing in the joy of salvation.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Jeremiah 25:1–14".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Isaiah 45:1–4, 13".
  3. ↑ "2 Kings 24:1–7".
  4. ↑ "Daniel 1:1–6".
  5. ↑ "2 Kings 24:15–17".
  6. ↑ "Jeremiah 21:1–14".
  7. ↑ "Jeremiah 27:1–22".
  8. ↑ "Jeremiah 28".
  9. ↑ "2 Kings 25:4–16".
  10. ↑ "Ezra 1:1–3".
  11. ↑ "Daniel 5:30".
  12. ↑ "Ezra 1:1–11".
  13. ↑ "Ezra 3:8".
  14. ↑ "Ezra 4:1–5".
  15. ↑ "Ezra 4:17–5:2".
  16. ↑ "Ezra 6:15–22".
  17. ↑ "Ezra 7:1–10".
  18. ↑ "Ezra 8:1–23".
  19. ↑ "Nehemiah 1:1–2:8".
  20. ↑ "Nehemiah 2:13–18".
  21. ↑ "Nehemiah 4:1–14".
  22. ↑ "Nehemiah 4:16–18".
  23. ↑ "Nehemiah 5:14".
  24. ↑ "Nehemiah 6:15–16".
  25. ↑ "Jeremiah 44:22–23".
  26. ↑ "Revelation 18:1–4".
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