Changes

The '''Fall of [[Jerusalem]]''' (588 BC according to [[James Ussher|Ussher]]<ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. 847-51</ref>, or 586 BC according to [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]]<ref name=Wood>Leon J. Wood, ''A Survey of Israel's History'', rev. ed. [[David O'Brien]], Grand Rapids, MI: Academie Books, 1986 (ISBN 031034770X), pp. 319-20</ref>) was the final military event in the conquest of the [[Southern Kingdom]] of [[Israel]] by [[Nebuchadnezzar II]], King of [[Babylonia]]. It marked the end of the history of the Southern Kingdom after twenty-two years of decline and, according to [[Ezekiel (prophet)|Ezekiel]], three hundred ninety years of "iniquity" on the part of the children of Israel.

The '''Fall of [[Jerusalem]]''' (588 BC according to [[James Ussher|Ussher]],<ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. 847-51</ref> or 586 BC according to [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]]<ref name=Wood>Leon J. Wood, ''A Survey of Israel's History'', rev. ed. [[David O'Brien]], Grand Rapids, MI: Academie Books, 1986 (ISBN 031034770X), pp. 319-20</ref>) was the final military event in the conquest of the [[Southern Kingdom]] of [[Israel]] by [[Nebuchadnezzar II]], King of [[Babylonia]]. It marked the end of the history of the Southern Kingdom after twenty-two years of decline and, according to [[Ezekiel (prophet)|Ezekiel]], three hundred ninety years of "iniquity" on the part of the children of Israel.

== Background ==

== Background ==

Nebuchadnezzar marched on and captured all the lands from the valley of the [[Nile]] to the [[Euphrates]] over which Egypt had once held sway. Then in 605 BC, Nabopolassar died, and Nebuchadnezzar then had to return to [[Babylon]] to secure his throne. Toward the end of this year, according to Ussher, Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.<ref name=Ussher9>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pghh. 782, 783, 785</ref> In reply, Nebuchadnezzar assembled a coalition of [[Syria]]ns ("Arameans"), [[Chaldea]]ns, [[Moab]]ites and [[Ammon]]ites and sent them against the Southern Kingdom. They attacked Jehoiakim's forces and pillaged virtually the entire kingdom.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=2|version=NASB}}</ref> While this was happening, Nebuchadnezzar was apparently leading his main force against Necho II for the last time, in a battle that he nearly lost.<ref name=Wood2>Wood, ''op. cit.'', pp. 317</ref><ref name=Pratt>A.K. Grayson, ''Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles , vol. 5 of Texts from Cuneiform Sources'', eds. A.L. Oppenheim, et al. (New York: Augustun, 1975) p. 100. Quoted by [http://www.johnpratt.com/jpp.html John P. Pratt] in "[http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2000/lehi6apr.html Lehi's 600-year Prophecy of the Birth of Christ]," ''[http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/000331sixhundred.html Meridian Magazine]'', March 31, 2000. Retrieved April 12, 2007.</ref> Necho lost, and died either in action or shortly afterward. His son [[Psammtik II]] reigned for six years.<ref name=Ussher6>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 790</ref>

Nebuchadnezzar marched on and captured all the lands from the valley of the [[Nile]] to the [[Euphrates]] over which Egypt had once held sway. Then in 605 BC, Nabopolassar died, and Nebuchadnezzar then had to return to [[Babylon]] to secure his throne. Toward the end of this year, according to Ussher, Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.<ref name=Ussher9>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pghh. 782, 783, 785</ref> In reply, Nebuchadnezzar assembled a coalition of [[Syria]]ns ("Arameans"), [[Chaldea]]ns, [[Moab]]ites and [[Ammon]]ites and sent them against the Southern Kingdom. They attacked Jehoiakim's forces and pillaged virtually the entire kingdom.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=2|version=NASB}}</ref> While this was happening, Nebuchadnezzar was apparently leading his main force against Necho II for the last time, in a battle that he nearly lost.<ref name=Wood2>Wood, ''op. cit.'', pp. 317</ref><ref name=Pratt>A.K. Grayson, ''Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles , vol. 5 of Texts from Cuneiform Sources'', eds. A.L. Oppenheim, et al. (New York: Augustun, 1975) p. 100. Quoted by [http://www.johnpratt.com/jpp.html John P. Pratt] in "[http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2000/lehi6apr.html Lehi's 600-year Prophecy of the Birth of Christ]," ''[http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/000331sixhundred.html Meridian Magazine]'', March 31, 2000. Retrieved April 12, 2007.</ref> Necho lost, and died either in action or shortly afterward. His son [[Psammtik II]] reigned for six years.<ref name=Ussher6>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 790</ref>

Nebuchadnezzar had to retire to regain his strength, but in due course he was back at the walls of [[Jerusalem]]. There and then (599 BC), [[Jehoiakim]] died, under circumstances that remain a subject of some [[Jehoiakim#The Manner of Jehoiakim's Death|controversy]]. Nebuchadnezzar accepted his son [[Jehoiachin]] as the next king, but 100 days later, he removed him as well,<ref name=surrender>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=12|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=HSI>Anonymous, "[http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/biblediscovery/jehoiachin.asp Jehoiachin]", ''Holy Spirit Interactive'', 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.</ref>and deported a total of ten thousand captives, including seven thousand soldiers, a thousand skilled craftsmen, and two thousand other prisoners also of military age. He also deported Jehoiachin himself, and Jehoiachin's mother [[Nehushta]], and Jehoiachin's unnamed wives, and the magistrates, in addition to appropriating a large amount of treasure from the palace and from the [[Temple of Jerusalem]].<ref name=deport>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=13-16|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher7>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pghh. 795-7</ref><ref name=Britannica>Anonymous, [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9043490 Jehoiachin], ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' online, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael>Anonymous, King Jehoiachin: [http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/biography_Jehoiachin.html Biography] and [http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/judgment_Jehoiachin.html God's Judgment], retrieved April 13, 2007 from the Kings of Israel site.</ref><ref name=Infoplease>"[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0826121.html Jehoiachin]". ''[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/.html. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia]''. © 1994, 2000-2006, on Infoplease. © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. Retrieved

Nebuchadnezzar had to retire to regain his strength, but in due course he was back at the walls of [[Jerusalem]]. There and then (599 BC), [[Jehoiakim]] died, under circumstances that remain a subject of some [[Jehoiakim#The Manner of Jehoiakim's Death|controversy]]. Nebuchadnezzar accepted his son [[Jehoiachin]] as the next king, but 100 days later, he removed him as well,<ref name=surrender>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=12|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=HSI>Anonymous, "[http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/biblediscovery/jehoiachin.asp Jehoiachin]", ''Holy Spirit Interactive'', 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.</ref> and deported a total of ten thousand captives, including seven thousand soldiers, a thousand skilled craftsmen, and two thousand other prisoners also of military age. He also deported Jehoiachin himself, and Jehoiachin's mother [[Nehushta]], and Jehoiachin's unnamed wives, and the magistrates, in addition to appropriating a large amount of treasure from the palace and from the [[Temple of Jerusalem]].<ref name=HSI/><ref name=deport>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=13-16|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher7>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pghh. 795-7</ref><ref name=Britannica>Anonymous, [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9043490 Jehoiachin], ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' online, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael>Anonymous, King Jehoiachin: [http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/biography_Jehoiachin.html Biography] and [http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/judgment_Jehoiachin.html God's Judgment], retrieved April 13, 2007 from the Kings of Israel site.</ref><ref name=Infoplease>"[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0826121.html Jehoiachin]". ''[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/.html. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia]''. © 1994, 2000-2006, on Infoplease. © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. Retrieved

13 April 2007.</ref><ref name=WebBible>Matthew G. Easton and Paul S. Taylor, "[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/jehoiachin.html Jehoiachin]", ''[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/home.html The Web Bible Encyclopedia]'', 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.</ref><ref name=HSI/>

13 April 2007.</ref><ref name=WebBible>Matthew G. Easton and Paul S. Taylor, "[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/jehoiachin.html Jehoiachin]", ''[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/home.html The Web Bible Encyclopedia]'', 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.</ref>

After leaving only the poorest of the poor in the land, and selecting Jehoiakim's younger brother [[Zedekiah]] to rule the land as his vassal, Nebuchadnezzar might have thought that he finally had a king that he could work with. But Zedekiah would prove as rebellious as his brother and nephew had been, though not immediately.

After leaving only the poorest of the poor in the land, and selecting Jehoiakim's younger brother [[Zedekiah]] to rule the land as his vassal, Nebuchadnezzar might have thought that he finally had a king that he could work with. But Zedekiah would prove as rebellious as his brother and nephew had been, though not immediately.

Jeremiah had already received baleful prophecies about the [[Southern Kingdom]]. In the year that [[Jehoiachin]] was taken prisoner and deported to [[Babylon]], Jeremiah received from [[God]] the word that [[Zedekiah]] would come to a sad end and that the remainder of the people, or at least those having any influence, would in turn be deported as well. This was the "vision of the two baskets of [[fig]]s," one of good figs and one of bad.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=24|verses=1-2,8-9|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher10>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 808</ref> Jeremiah similarly warned against Zedekiah's attempts to broker an anti-[[Babylonia]]n alliance with the kings of [[Edom]], [[Moab]], [[Ammon]], [[Tyre]], and [[Sidon]]. Furthermore, Jeremiah advised all the deportees to become part of the Babylonian economy and society, if not necessarily part of the culture, and that they ''would'' eventually return, after seventy years had elapsed since the first deportation (in the fourth year of [[Jehoiakim]]).<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=39|verses=1-18|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher11>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pghh. 810-11</ref>

Jeremiah had already received baleful prophecies about the [[Southern Kingdom]]. In the year that [[Jehoiachin]] was taken prisoner and deported to [[Babylon]], Jeremiah received from [[God]] the word that [[Zedekiah]] would come to a sad end and that the remainder of the people, or at least those having any influence, would in turn be deported as well. This was the "vision of the two baskets of [[fig]]s," one of good figs and one of bad.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=24|verses=1-2,8-9|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher10>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 808</ref> Jeremiah similarly warned against Zedekiah's attempts to broker an anti-[[Babylonia]]n alliance with the kings of [[Edom]], [[Moab]], [[Ammon]], [[Tyre]], and [[Sidon]]. Furthermore, Jeremiah advised all the deportees to become part of the Babylonian economy and society, if not necessarily part of the culture, and that they ''would'' eventually return, after seventy years had elapsed since the first deportation (in the fourth year of [[Jehoiakim]]).<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=39|verses=1-18|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher11>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pghh. 810-11</ref>

The high priest [[Seraiah]] and his second-in-command [[Zephaniah (priest)|Zephaniah]] did not appreciate such advice and denouced Jeremiah in writing to Zedekiah. Jeremiah, in turn, said that those two priests would themselves come to sad ends.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=30|verses=1-31,40|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher11>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 812</ref>

The high priest [[Seraiah]] and his second-in-command [[Zephaniah (priest)|Zephaniah]] did not appreciate such advice and denouced Jeremiah in writing to Zedekiah. Jeremiah, in turn, said that those two priests would themselves come to sad ends.<ref name=Ussher11>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 812</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=30|verses=1-31,40|version=NASB}}</ref>

=== The Fourth Year of Zedekiah ===

=== The Fourth Year of Zedekiah ===

In this year, [[Hananiah]] made a false prophecy that the exile would end within two years. Jeremiah disputed that account and foretold that Hananiah would die--which Hananiah did before this year of Zedekiah was out.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=28|verses=1-14|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher13>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pghh. 814-6</ref>

In this year, [[Hananiah]] made a false prophecy that the exile would end within two years. Jeremiah disputed that account and foretold that Hananiah would die—which Hananiah did before this year of Zedekiah was out.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=28|verses=1-14|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher13>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pghh. 814-6</ref>

=== The Fifth Year of Zedekiah ===

=== The Fifth Year of Zedekiah ===

In this year, Apries attacked Nebuchadnezzar's siege ring from the outside. Nebuchadnezzar then had to break off his siege, engage Apries directly, and chase him away. In the process, Nebuchadnezzar took 832 prisoners and sent them back to Babylon.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=37|verses=3-10|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher18>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 836</ref>

In this year, Apries attacked Nebuchadnezzar's siege ring from the outside. Nebuchadnezzar then had to break off his siege, engage Apries directly, and chase him away. In the process, Nebuchadnezzar took 832 prisoners and sent them back to Babylon.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=37|verses=3-10|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher18>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 836</ref>

Zedekiah drew a false confidence from this event, as did his people, who took back the slaves they had earlier set free. Jeremiah warned that Nebuchadnezzar would be back--and that God would not be pleased with this breaking of the sabbatical law.<ref name=Ussher18/>

Zedekiah drew a false confidence from this event, as did his people, who took back the slaves they had earlier set free. Jeremiah warned that Nebuchadnezzar would be back—and that God would not be pleased with this breaking of the sabbatical law.<ref name=Ussher18/>

== The Last 390 Days ==

== The Last 390 Days ==

As Ezekiel predicted, [[Nebuchadnezzar II|Nebuchadnezzar]] dealt handily with [[Apries]]. He then returned and resumed his siege of [[Jerusalem]]. This occurred on the fifteenth day of the third month, and on this date Ezekiel's 390-day countdown began. Before it was over, the people of Jerusalem ran out of food. Jeremiah was thrown into the mud-hole during this time. Zedekiah consulted him repeatedly but never once listened to Jeremiah's simple message: that Nebuchadnezzar would win, and the people ought to submit to him.<ref name=Ussher18>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 841</ref>

As Ezekiel predicted, [[Nebuchadnezzar II|Nebuchadnezzar]] dealt handily with [[Apries]]. He then returned and resumed his siege of [[Jerusalem]]. This occurred on the fifteenth day of the third month, and on this date Ezekiel's 390-day countdown began. Before it was over, the people of Jerusalem ran out of food. Jeremiah was thrown into the mud-hole during this time. Zedekiah consulted him repeatedly but never once listened to Jeremiah's simple message: that Nebuchadnezzar would win, and the people ought to submit to him.<ref name=Ussher18>[[James Ussher|Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World|op. cit.]]'', pgh. 841</ref>

Finally, on the ninth day of the fourth month, near the end (according to the civil calendar) of Zedekiah's last year, Nebuchadnezzar's armies broke through the city walls. Zedekiah and all his soldiers fled by night.<ref name=Ussher/> The Chaldeans gave chase and captured them--though Josephus<ref name=Josephus>[[Flavius Josephus]], ''The Antiquities of the Jews'', 10.8.137-8, in ''The Works of Josephus'', William Whiston, trans., Peabody, [[Massachusetts]]: Hendrickson Publishers, 1987</ref> says that most of Zedekiah's soldiers deserted him before this happened.

Finally, on the ninth day of the fourth month, near the end (according to the civil calendar) of Zedekiah's last year, Nebuchadnezzar's armies broke through the city walls. Zedekiah and all his soldiers fled by night.<ref name=Ussher/> The Chaldeans gave chase and captured them—though Josephus<ref name=Josephus>[[Flavius Josephus]], ''The Antiquities of the Jews'', 10.8.137-8, in ''The Works of Josephus'', William Whiston, trans., Peabody, [[Massachusetts]]: Hendrickson Publishers, 1987</ref> says that most of Zedekiah's soldiers deserted him before this happened.

The Chaldeans brought Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar's camp at [[Riblah]]. There Nebuchadnezzar pronounced a short and bitter judgment: that Zedekiah was a traitor, a [[covenant]] breaker, and an ingrate.<ref name=Josephus2>Josephus, ''Antiquities, op. cit.'', 10.8.138-40</ref> Nebuchadnezzar then had Zedekiah's children executed before his eyes, and then he had Zedekiah blinded, chained, and taken to Babylon.<ref name=Ussher/> There, according to Josephus, Nebuchadnezzar kept Zedekiah in prison until he died (though how many years this lasted, Josephus does not say) and then gave him an honorable burial.<ref name=Josephus3>Josephus, ''Antiquities, op. cit.'', 10.8.154</ref>

The Chaldeans brought Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar's camp at [[Riblah]]. There Nebuchadnezzar pronounced a short and bitter judgment: that Zedekiah was a traitor, a [[covenant]] breaker, and an ingrate.<ref name=Josephus2>Josephus, ''Antiquities, op. cit.'', 10.8.138-40</ref> Nebuchadnezzar then had Zedekiah's children executed before his eyes, and then he had Zedekiah blinded, chained, and taken to Babylon.<ref name=Ussher/> There, according to Josephus, Nebuchadnezzar kept Zedekiah in prison until he died (though how many years this lasted, Josephus does not say) and then gave him an honorable burial.<ref name=Josephus3>Josephus, ''Antiquities, op. cit.'', 10.8.154</ref>

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== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Josiah]]

* [[Josiah]]

* [[Jehoahaz II]]

* [[Jehoahaz II]]