Historical Context:
Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, is a prominent figure in biblical history, particularly known for his military campaigns and the expansion of the Babylonian Empire. His siege of Jerusalem marks a significant event in the history of Israel and Judah, leading to the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal moment in Jewish history.

Biblical Account:
The siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar is documented in several books of the Bible, including 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and the Book of Jeremiah. The initial siege began during the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, around 605 BC, and continued intermittently until the final destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

In 2 Kings 24:1, it is recorded: "During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar." This rebellion led to further Babylonian aggression and ultimately the siege of Jerusalem.

The Siege and Its Consequences:
The siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar is marked by several key events. In 597 BC, after Jehoiakim's rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to the city, resulting in the capture of Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim's successor, and the deportation of many Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This is described in 2 Kings 24:10-14: "At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege... He carried away all Jerusalem, all the commanders and mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land."

The final and most devastating siege occurred in 586 BC under the reign of Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, who was installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon led to a brutal siege lasting approximately eighteen months, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. 2 Kings 25:1-2 recounts: "So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year."

Theological Significance:
The siege and subsequent fall of Jerusalem are seen as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by prophets such as Jeremiah, who urged the people of Judah to repent and return to God. Jeremiah 25:8-9 states: "Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Because you have not obeyed My words, behold, I will summon all the families of the north,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land and against its residents and against all the surrounding nations.’"

The Babylonian Exile that followed the siege is a period of profound theological reflection and transformation for the Jewish people. It underscores themes of judgment, repentance, and the hope of restoration, as seen in the promises of return and renewal found in the prophetic writings.

Archaeological Evidence:
Archaeological findings, such as the Babylonian Chronicles, corroborate the biblical account of Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns against Jerusalem. These records provide external validation of the historical events described in the Scriptures, offering insight into the geopolitical dynamics of the ancient Near East during this period.

Legacy:
Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile had lasting impacts on Jewish identity, religious practices, and the development of the Hebrew Scriptures. The events surrounding the siege are central to understanding the historical and spiritual journey of the Jewish people as depicted in the Bible.