Babylonian Exile

Babylonian Exile

The Babylonian Exile, also known as the Babylonian Captivity, refers to the period in Jewish history during which a number of people from the ancient Kingdom of Judah were captives in Babylon, the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event is a significant period in Jewish history and has had a profound impact on Jewish culture and religion.

Historical Background

The Babylonian Exile began after the conquest of Jerusalem by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II in 597 BCE. The initial deportation included the King of Judah, Jehoiachin, and many of the elite and skilled workers of the kingdom. A second, more extensive deportation occurred in 586 BCE following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon.

Causes

The exile was the culmination of a series of conflicts between the Kingdom of Judah and the Babylonian Empire. Judah had been a vassal state under the Assyrian Empire, and after the fall of Assyria, it became a vassal of Babylon. However, political instability and attempts to ally with Egypt against Babylon led to the Babylonian invasions.

Life in Exile

During the exile, the Jewish people were settled in various locations within the Babylonian Empire. They maintained their identity and religious practices, which included the observance of the Sabbath, dietary laws, and circumcision. The exiles also began to compile and edit their sacred texts, which would later form part of the Hebrew Bible.

Cultural and Religious Impact

The Babylonian Exile had a profound impact on Jewish culture and religion. It was during this period that the concept of a synagogue as a place of worship and community gathering began to develop. The experience of exile also led to a renewed emphasis on the Torah and the development of Jewish law and tradition.

Return to Judah

The exile ended in 538 BCE when the Persian king Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and issued a decree allowing the exiles to return to Judah. This event is known as the Cyrus Decree. Many Jews returned to Jerusalem and began the process of rebuilding the city and the Temple, an event known as the Second Temple period.

Legacy

The Babylonian Exile is a pivotal event in Jewish history. It is seen as a period of punishment and purification, but also as a time of growth and development. The experiences and lessons learned during the exile have been reflected in Jewish thought and literature, including the Book of Lamentations and the Book of Ezekiel.

See Also

• Neo-Babylonian Empire
• Second Temple
• Cyrus the Great
• Book of Daniel

References

• Bright, John. A History of Israel. Westminster John Knox Press, 2000.
• Smith, Mark S. The Early History of God: Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel. Eerdmans, 2002.

External Links

• Jewish Encyclopedia: Babylonian Exile
• Jewish Virtual Library: Babylonian Captivity