Topical Bible: The Jews: Often Subdued and Made Tributary

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Throughout biblical history, the Jewish people have experienced periods of subjugation and have been made tributary to various empires and nations. This recurring theme is evident in the Old Testament narratives and reflects both the consequences of disobedience to God and the unfolding of divine providence.

Egyptian Bondage

The earliest significant period of subjugation occurred in Egypt, where the Israelites were enslaved for several centuries. This bondage is described in the Book of Exodus, where the Israelites were forced into hard labor under Pharaoh's rule. "So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh" (Exodus 1:11). The deliverance from Egypt, led by Moses, marks a pivotal moment in Jewish history, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness.

Assyrian and Babylonian Captivity

The divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah faced subjugation by foreign powers due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC. "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria" (2 Kings 17:6). The southern kingdom of Judah later fell to the Babylonians, leading to the Babylonian Exile in 586 BC. "He carried into exile all Jerusalem: all the officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand" (2 Kings 24:14).

Persian Rule

Following the Babylonian Exile, the Persian Empire, under King Cyrus, allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Although the Jews were permitted to return, they remained under Persian rule and were required to pay tribute. "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm" (Ezra 1:1).

Hellenistic and Roman Domination

The conquests of Alexander the Great brought the Jewish people under Hellenistic influence, and subsequent rulers, such as the Seleucids, imposed heavy tributes and attempted to suppress Jewish religious practices. The Maccabean Revolt was a response to such oppression, leading to a brief period of Jewish independence.

However, this independence was short-lived, as the Roman Empire eventually took control of Judea. The Jews were again made tributary, and Roman taxation was a significant burden. "Tell us, then, what is Your opinion? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" (Matthew 22:17). The Roman occupation culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, a devastating event for the Jewish people.

Theological Implications

The subjugation and tributary status of the Jews throughout history are often interpreted as consequences of their covenantal unfaithfulness. The prophets frequently warned of impending judgment due to idolatry and injustice. Yet, these periods of subjugation also highlight God's sovereignty and the hope of restoration. The prophetic literature, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, speaks of a future redemption and the coming of a Messiah who would establish an everlasting kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 2:13,14
And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
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Judges 4:2
And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelled in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
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Judges 6:2,6
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
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2 Kings 23:33
And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
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Library

Cestius Sends Neopolitanus the Tribune to See in what Condition ...
... Hath not your army been often beaten even by your ... the Red Sea, these have the Romans
subdued entirely ... Nay, indeed, the danger concerns not those Jews that dwell ...
/.../chapter 16 cestius sends neopolitanus.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... The province of Jud??a was subdued by Pompey ... They systematically overcharged the people
and often brought false ... were justly regarded by the Jews as apostates ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

Canaan
... monuments of Egypt, may still be often observed among ... raids into Judaean territory,
and the Jews retaliated whenever ... But the Philistines were not yet subdued. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... land of canals and reeds," as it was often named"was ... The Philistines, however, were
soon subdued. ... The Jews alone had no images to take; the sacred vessels of ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... equality a country which had been subdued by force of ... vitality of which she had so
often given proof ... 029.jpg SENNACHERIB RECEIVING THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE JEWS]. ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The First Theban Empire
... of Jacob, or at least a band of Jews entering into ... their petty chiefs, by bloody
wars which often issued in ... Usirtasen I. had subdued the countries of Hahu, of ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... have a dim perception of the subdued crash of ... years, allowed their critical faculties,
and often their imagination ... welcome change in the fortunes of the Jews. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... The question has often been asked whether Zoroaster belongs to the domain of legend
or ... contained in all ten or twelve hundred chapters**"to be made, one of ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... to the possibility of revolutions in recently subdued countries, such ... had done, whereas
he appears to have made use of ... to order, and, as was often customary in ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... They had subdued some of the small Canaanite states, entered into ... their usual haunts,
a few days or often a few ... or to the period when the Jews, without any ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm