Jewish–Babylonian war

The Jewish–Babylonian war was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Judah and Neo-Babylonian Empire that lasted from 601 to 586 BCE. The conflict marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and a prolonged hiatus in Jewish independence until the Hasmonean revolt in the second century BCE. After Babylonia invaded Jerusalem it destroyed the First Temple, and started the Babylonian exile.

Jewish–Babylonian war

Zedekiah is chained and brought before Nebuchadnezzar, from Petrus Comestor's "Bible Historiale," 1372
Date601–586 BC
Location
Result Babylonian victory, destruction of the First Temple, destruction of the Kingdom of Judah, Babylonian Exile
Belligerents
Kingdom of Judah
Supported by:
Egypt
Neo-Babylonian Empire
Supported by:
Moab
Ammon
Chaldea
Commanders and leaders
Jehoiakim
Jehoiachin
Zedekiah
Pashur Ben-Amar
Jehuchal Ben-Shelamiah
Gedaliah Ben-Pashur
Sefaniah Ben-Masiah
Shefatiah Ben-Matan
Pashur Ben-Malkiah
Nebuchadnezzar II
Nebuzaradan
Strength
Much fewer Unknown
Casualties and losses
More than 4,200 captive, many slain Unknown
Based on Kings 2:24 and 25

Background

Egypt was the regional power until Battle of Charchamesh in 606BC.[1] Later, Babylonia came and ended the Egyptian rule, and established its own rule, and made Judah its vassal.

Jewish revolt

For three years, Judah paid taxes to Babylonia, until King Jehoiakim decided to stop giving taxes to Babylonia and went to war with Babylonia.[2] Unfortunately for Judah, Moab, Ammon and Chaldea went to war against Judah alongside Babylonia.[3]

First siege of Jerusalem

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem in 597 BC, and managed to capture the city and king Jehoiachin,[4][5][6] along with all of the aristocracy of Jerusalem.[7] He also looted the treasures of the temple, including the golden implements.[8] Then Nebuchadnezzar exiled 10,000 of the officers, and the craftsmen, and 7,000 soldiers.[9] Then, he appointed Jehoiachin's uncle, Mattaniah as king of Judah. Later, Mattaniah changed his name to Zedekiah.[10][11]

Second siege of Jerusalem and a Battle at Jericho

In July 587 BC,[12] Zedekiah rebelled against Babylonia, making an alliance with Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem again, starving the people.[13] Later, the Babylonian troops managed to get inside the walls and conquer the city, yet Zedekiah and some of his troops managed to escape to Jericho, where they fought against the Babylonians (called Chaldeans by the Bible), who captured Zedekiah and his sons and brought them in chains to Babylonia, where Zedekiah's children were executed in front of him. On the seventh of Av, Nebuzaradan, a Babylonian executioner, burned down Solomon's Temple, destroyed the walls of Jerusalem, and exiled the rest of the Jews to Babylonia. He appointed Gedalia as the administrator of the Jews that weren't exiled from Judah. Judah ceased to exist a year later, in 586 BC. Gedalia was later murdered in 582 BC.

See also

Bibliography

References

  1. Missler, Commentary on Ezekiel,2009
  2. 2 Kings 24
  3. 2 Kings 24
  4. 2 Kings 24
  5. 2 Chronicles 36
  6. Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle
  7. 2 Kings 24
  8. 2 Kings 24
  9. 2 Kings 24
  10. 2 Kings 24
  11. Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle
  12. Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle
  13. 2 Kings 25
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