Topical Encyclopedia Historical ContextBabylon, an ancient city-state in Mesopotamia, rose to prominence under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from 605 to 562 BC. Nebuchadnezzar is one of the most significant figures in biblical history, particularly in the context of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. His reign marked the height of Babylon's power and influence in the ancient Near East. Jehoiachin's Captivity Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah or Coniah, was a king of Judah who reigned for a brief period of three months and ten days around 598/597 BC. His reign came during a tumultuous time when the Kingdom of Judah was under threat from the expanding Babylonian Empire. The biblical account of Jehoiachin's captivity is a pivotal event that underscores the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given to Judah regarding their disobedience to God. Biblical Account The capture of Jehoiachin is recorded in several biblical passages, notably in 2 Kings 24:10-16 and 2 Chronicles 36:9-10. According to 2 Kings 24:12-15 : "Then Jehoiachin king of Judah, along with his mother, his servants, his officials, and his eunuchs, surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, he took Jehoiachin captive. And Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s palace. He cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the LORD, just as the LORD had foretold. He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained." This passage highlights the severity of the Babylonian conquest and the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of profound significance in Jewish history. The deportation included not only the king and his family but also the elite of Jerusalem, leaving the city impoverished and weakened. Theological Significance The captivity of Jehoiachin and the subsequent Babylonian exile are seen as divine judgment upon Judah for their persistent idolatry and failure to adhere to the covenant with God. Prophets like Jeremiah had warned of such consequences, urging the people to repent and return to the Lord. Jeremiah 22:24-27 speaks directly to Jehoiachin, foretelling his fate: "As surely as I live, declares the LORD, even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would still tear you off. In fact, I will hand you over to those you dread, who want to take your life—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans. I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another land, where neither of you were born—and there you will both die." Legacy and Impact Jehoiachin's captivity marked the beginning of a significant period in Jewish history, known as the Babylonian Exile, which lasted approximately 70 years. This period was characterized by reflection, repentance, and a renewed commitment to the covenant with God. The exile also set the stage for the eventual return and rebuilding of Jerusalem under leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Nebuchadnezzar's role in this narrative is complex; he is both an instrument of God's judgment and a figure who, through his interactions with figures like Daniel, comes to recognize the sovereignty of the God of Israel. The captivity of Jehoiachin and the subsequent events serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the enduring hope of redemption and restoration. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 24:12,14-16And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 36:10 Library How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ... Approaching Doom The Antiquities of the Jews Palestine under Pagan Kings. The Greater Prophets. Questions. The Earlier Hebrew Histories. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Resources What is the significance of Babylon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the whore of Babylon / mystery Babylon? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of the Babylonian Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.org Babylon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Babylon was Called: Desert of the Sea Babylon was Called: Lady of Kingdoms Babylon was Called: Land of Merathaim Babylon was Called: Land of Shinar Babylon was Called: Land of the Chaldeans Babylon with Media and Persia Divided by Darius 120 Provinces Babylon: Ambassadors of, Sent to Hezekiah Babylon: As a Power Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance on Other Nations Babylon: As a Power Was: Arrogant Babylon: As a Power Was: Covetous Babylon: As a Power Was: Cruel and Destructive Babylon: As a Power Was: Grand and Stately Babylon: As a Power Was: Oppressive Babylon: As a Power Was: Secure and Self-Confident Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called Babylon the Great Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called Beauty of Chaldees Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the City of Merchants Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the Glory of Kingdoms Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the Golden City Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Enlarged by Nebuchadnezzar Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Its Antiquity Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Surrounded With a Great Wall and Fortified Babylon: Babylon the Chief Province of Babylon: City of Built by Nimrod Babylon: City of Capital of the Kingdom of Babylon Babylon: City of in the Land of Shinar Babylon: City of Peter Writes From Babylon: City of Prophecies Concerning Babylon: Composed of Many Nations Babylon: Destroyed by the Medes Babylon: Empire of a Limited Monarchy Babylon: Empire of Armies of, Invade Ancient Canaan Babylon: Empire of At the Time of Ahasuerus Babylon: Empire of Called Land of Shinar Babylon: Empire of Colonists From, Sent to Samaria Babylon: Empire of Conquest of Egypt By Babylon: Empire of Divisions of Babylon: Empire of Extent of, at the Time of Nebuchadnezzar Babylon: Empire of Founded by Nimrod Babylon: Empire of Jews Carried To Babylon: Empire of Prophecies of Conquests By Babylon: Empire of Prophetic Denunciations Against Babylon: Formerly a Part of Mesopotamia Babylon: Founded by the Assyrians, and a Part of Their Empire Babylon: Inhabitants of Addicted to Magic Babylon: Inhabitants of Idolatrous Babylon: Inhabitants of Profane and Sacrilegious Babylon: Inhabitants of Wicked Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Besieged and Took Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Besieged Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Burned Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Made Jehoiakim Tributary Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Made Zedekiah King Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Rebelled Against by Zedekiah Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Spoiled and Burned the Temple Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Spoiled the Temple Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Took Jehoiachin Captive to Babylon Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Took Zedekiah Captive to Babylon Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Captivity of the Jews By Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Conquests By Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Perpetual Desolation of Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Preaching of the Gospel In Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of the Jews From Babylon: Presidents Placed Over Babylon: Remarkable For: Antiquity Babylon: Remarkable For: Commerce Babylon: Remarkable For: Manufacture of Garments Babylon: Remarkable For: Military Power Babylon: Remarkable For: National Greatness Babylon: Remarkable For: Naval Power Babylon: Remarkable For: Wealth Babylon: Remarkable For: Wisdom of Senators Babylon: Represented by a Great Eagle Babylon: Represented by a Head of Gold Babylon: Represented by a Lion With Eagle's Wings Babylon: Restoration of the Jews From Babylon: Revolt of the Jews From, and Their Punishment Illustrated Babylon: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Babylon: The Gospel Preached In Babylon: The Jews Exhorted to be Subject To, and Settle In Babylon: Treatment of the Jews In Babylon: Watered by the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris Related Terms Merodach-baladan (2 Occurrences) |
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