(Psalm 44:11–12) Is there any extrabiblical record supporting the claim that the faithful were “scattered among the nations” and sold cheaply?

Historical and Literary Background

Psalm 44:11–12 reads: “You have given us up like sheep to be devoured; You have scattered us among the nations. You sell Your people for nothing; no profit do You gain from their sale.” These words reference a profound sense of national defeat, exile, and the apparent cheap disposal of the faithful into foreign hands.

Throughout the history of ancient Israel and Judah, there were multiple invasions and deportations by dominant powers—such as the Assyrians (eighth century BC) and Babylonians (sixth century BC)—in which populations were forcibly relocated, enslaved, and effectively “sold” or dispersed with little material gain for the conquerors. Several extrabiblical records and archaeological findings provide corroboration for the reality of faithful Israelites and Judeans being “scattered among the nations” and sold or deported for minimal profit.

Assyrian Records and Deportations

1. *Sennacherib’s Prism (Taylor Prism)*: Detailed Akkadian inscriptions record the Assyrian king Sennacherib’s military campaigns (late eighth century BC). In his conquest of Judean cities, he boasts of taking large numbers of captives, many of whom were sent into exile. Although the inscriptions do not specify “cheap” or “profitable” terms, the mass displacement of populations echoes the concept of disposal without great commercial benefit to the conquering empire.

2. *Lachish Reliefs*: Discovered in Sennacherib’s palace at Nineveh (and currently in the British Museum), these carved stone panels depict the siege of Lachish (one of Judah’s fortified cities) and its aftermath. They show deportations and subjugation of Judeans. While the reliefs focus on Assyrian victory, they vividly illustrate how captives were forcibly taken away, aligning with the notion of scattering.

3. *Assyrian Administrative Texts*: Numerous cuneiform tablets refer to groups of foreign peoples settled in distant regions of the empire. Although not always specifying Jews by name, these records confirm the Assyrian practice of dispersing conquered populations. In some instances, captives appear to have been moved for labor needs without extensive profit in sales.

Babylonian Captivity and Exile

1. *Babylonian Chronicle (Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle)*: Cuneiform sources describe Nebuchadnezzar II’s conquest of Jerusalem in 597 BC and final destruction around 586 BC. Afterward, much of the population, including many faithful Israelites, was exiled to Babylon (2 Kings 24–25). The brief mentions of exiled Judeans in these chronicles show that significant populations were taken away, fitting the broader sense of them being scattered. Any sale or transactional value for captives, if it occurred, was ancillary to displaying domination over the conquered.

2. *Business and Administrative Tablets*: Excavations in the region of Nippur and other Babylonian sites have unearthed documents referencing Judean exiles. They show these exiles integrated into labor sectors or communities. While not explicit about sales for profit, the tenor of these records aligns with a relocated population with limited social status—often consistent with the biblical notion of being “sold” or dispersed cheaply.

Persian and Egyptian Contexts

1. *Elephantine Papyri (Fifth Century BC)*: These documents, originating from a Jewish community at Elephantine (in Upper Egypt), demonstrate that Jewish populations were living far outside their homeland. Though the papyri largely deal with community matters and temple worship, their very existence highlights how Jews, over generations, had spread throughout foreign territories. While this may not reflect a direct “sale” scenario, it affirms widespread diaspora conditions.

2. *Herodotus’s Histories*: Although Herodotus does not specifically mention Jews sold cheaply, he does note the displacement of various peoples throughout the Near East (Histories 1.106–1.107). His sweeping references to conquerors relocating entire regions support the broader historical backdrop of forced migrations.

Postexilic and Later References

1. *Josephus’s Writings*: Flavius Josephus, in his works “Antiquities of the Jews” (e.g., Book 10) and “The Jewish War,” recounts multiple dispersions and suffering of the Jewish people under foreign domination. After both the Babylonian period and later Roman occupations, captives were often taken. Josephus details groups of Jews used as slaves or exiled. While Josephus’s direct statements do not always use the phrase “sold cheaply,” the general conditions of forced relocation and servitude corroborate the theme of Psalm 44:11–12.

2. *Roman Destruction (AD 70)*: Though centuries after Psalm 44 was written, the Roman siege of Jerusalem led to many thousands of Jews being sold into slavery across the empire—sometimes so cheaply that slave markets reportedly glutted. Josephus (The Jewish War 6.8.2 [§385–386]) mentions the overwhelming number of prisoners. This later event echoes the language of Psalm 44 in principle, highlighting how conquerors profited little from an overabundance of slaves.

Confirming Themes of ‘Scattering’ and Low Cost

The biblical motif of being scattered and sold without profit is validated by the repetitive pattern of ancient rulers either forcefully moving conquered peoples to quell rebellion or putting them into servitude with no significant commercial gain. Massive deportations typically served administrative or punitive purposes instead of revenue generation. Consequently, the image of God’s people being “scattered among the nations” and “sold … for nothing” finds contextual support:

• Assyrian and Babylonian Inscriptions: Deportations and resettlements with no overt indication of wealth gained.

• Historical Diaspora Evidence: Elephantine Papyri and references from Herodotus, Josephus, and others show far-flung Jewish communities.

• Later Examples: Roman-era enslavements confirm the ongoing pattern of dispersion and cheap disposal.

Scriptural Alignment with Extrabiblical Sources

While Psalm 44:11–12 poetically attributes these events to God’s handing over of His people, extrabiblical records authenticate the historical reality of large-scale relocations and slaveries. Scripture’s portrayal of captivity, exile, and humiliating treatment aligns consistently with:

• Multiple waves of Assyrian and Babylonian conquests (2 Kings 17; 24–25).

• Evidence from archival and archaeological findings indicating dispersion and servitude.

• Written accounts (Josephus, cuneiform sources) that document the involuntary movement of populations and conditions that match “for nothing” transactions.

Concluding Observations

No single extrabiblical document uses the exact phrase “sold cheaply,” but the practice of scattering conquered populations without significant financial gain is well attested. The sum total of Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Persian, and Roman references provides ample confirmation that the plight described in Psalm 44:11–12 was not merely figurative or exclusive to ancient poetry. Instead, it epitomized–at multiple junctures in Israel’s history–the stark reality of subjugated peoples dispersed and undervalued by their conquerors.

Thus, the overarching picture from outside sources matches the biblical description of being “given up like sheep to be devoured,” “scattered among the nations,” and “sold … for nothing” (Psalm 44:11–12). This consistency reinforces the historical credibility of the psalmist’s lament while underscoring the significance of Israel’s exilic experiences as both a spiritual and literal phenomenon.