Why Were The Jews Exiled To Babylon?

A. Sutherland  - AncientPages.com - After many successful campaigns in the region of the Levant (of today’s Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine), Nebuchadnezzar suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Egyptians in 501 BC and lost control of some of his vassal states. In this situation, he decided to retaliate.

Why Were The Jews Exiled To Babylon?

In 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II (c.634 BC - c.562 BC), the Chaldean king of Babylon in Mesopotamia from 605 BC, attacked Judah, captured Jerusalem, and deported the Jews to Babylon. Pharaoh Apries attempted to help the Kingdom of Judah but failed.

It started the so-called ‘Babylonian Exile’ with the deportation of Jehoiachin (Jeconiah), a king of Judah, who reigned only three months and ten days, from 609 to 598 BC, along with his family. As told in 2 Kings 24:12–16, almost 10,000 prominent Jewish citizens, like professionals, the wealthy, priests, and craftsmen, were also forced to relocate to the city of Babylon.

The Judean prophet Ezekiel was also exiled to Babylon.

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See also: 

The Rise And Fall Of The Sasanian Empire

Susa: Great Holy City, Abode Of The Gods, Seat Of Their Mysteries, All Conquered By Ashurbanipal In 647 BC

Babylon’s Kiln-Fired Bricks Almost Erased The City From History – King Nebuchadnezzar II’s Dream Became A Nightmare

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