Babylonian Captivity

Babylonian captivity is also referred to as Babylonian exile. During Jewish history, captivity during the Babylonian Empire occurred when people from the ancient Kingdom of Judah were taken captive in Babylon, the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. In the Hebrew Bible, a description of this event is found, and its historicity is supported by archaeological and non-biblical documentation. Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered Israel after the year 605 BC, and this triggered the exilic period. It is a significant period of biblical history because both the exile and captivity of the Jewish people and their return and restoration were fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies. Israel exile to Babylonian was the two-stage deportation that took place between 597 and 587 BCE. 

The archaeology investigation reveals that even though Jerusalem was destroyed, other parts of Judah continued to be inhabited during the Babylonian exile timeline. Rather than returning to their homeland, most of the exiles travelled westwards and northwards. The majority settled in Israel, Lebanon, and Syria.

(Image Will be Uploaded Soon)

A Brief History of Babylonian Exile: The First Exile (586-538 BCE)

Generally, Babylonian exile (or Babylonian captivity) refers to the deportation and exile of the ancient Jewish Kingdom of Judah to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar II. As a result of the heavy destruction of the First Temple (586 BCE), the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon. Judaism developed outside the Land a religious framework and way of life that ultimately ensured the survival and spiritual identity of the people and guaranteed their long-term survival as a nation.

From 597 to 581 B.C.E., Babylonian exiles -most of which directly affected the rich and powerful - occurred in three waves in response to Judean revolts against the Babylonian rule. As described in the Bible, captivity was caused by the internal sins of Judah, which included idolatry and failing to follow prophetic warnings not to rebel against Babylon. Israel's exile to Babylon holds an important place in the event of ancient Israel history. 

Fall of Jerusalem to Babylon: The Destruction of Jerusalem

Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian general who took over after Jerusalem fell, was sent to complete its destruction. Babylon to Jerusalem came under the jurisdiction of Nebuzaradan. Even though many of the inhabitants wanted to surrender, the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem lasted for quite some time. Nebuchadnezzar's hatred for Zedekiah resulted in the destruction of the city and Temple, directly resulting from his refusal to pay tribute to him. 

Nebuzaradan destroyed the Temple and the royal palace in Jerusalem by fire in the weeks and months that followed and Jerusalem was plundered. They confiscated a number of silver censers and some bronze furnishings from the Temple and shipped them from Jerusalem to Babylon. Those in power were taken captive to Babylon. In the end, the city was completely destroyed. 

Captivities of Israel

Out of 7 captivities of Israel, 3 major ones are mentioned here:

• Assyrian Captivity

In Jewish history, the Assyrian captivity (or exile) was a period during which the Northern Kingdom of Israel was imprisoned in Assyria.

When the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel came, the Assyrians, Tiglath-Pileser III (Pul) and Shalmaneser V conquered it. This took place around 734-732 BC.

• Babylonian Captivity

A period in Jewish history during which members of the Kingdom of Judah were exiled to Babylon is called the Babylonian captivity (or Babylonian exile).

Judah served as a client state of the Assyrian empire from the late 7th century BC on. Babylon, an Assyrian province, overthrew Assyria in the last decades of the century.

• The Roman Captivity

The Romans captured Jerusalem in August A.D. 70, following Titus's dreadful siege led by Vespasian's son and later himself, Emperor Vespasian. During this war, the number of prisoners was estimated at 97,000, which represented nearly the entire Palestinian population. These unfortunates were treated harshly because of the stubborn defence of Jerusalem, which caused a great deal of frustration. 

How the Babylon Exile Ended

During Cyrus the Great's reign over Babylon, the Persians ended the exile in 538 BCE. Cyrus the Great captured Babylon in the same year. Throughout the Indus River and the Nile, the Persians occupied a vast area within a few decades. Following the return of Zerubbabel the Prince and Joshua the Priest, the exile ended. 

70 years of captivity in Babylon has resulted in great destruction and loss of economy. In addition to marking Judaism's darkest hour, the Babylonian exile also ushered in a new era in which Judaism developed into a universal religion that gave rise to later monotheistic traditions like Christianity and Islam. Return from Babylonian exile timeline rises from here.