Where is the Babylonian Exile in the Bible?
The time period leading up to the Babylonian exile is recorded in 2 Chronicles and Kings. During this time, the Israelites had embraced idolatry and were worshipping false gods and offering their children as sacrifices to these gods. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God warned his people to stop idolatry and repent of their sins. If they didn’t repent, the Babylonians would capture them and take them into exile.
Nebuchadnezzar’s court
When Babylon conquered Jerusalem, a young boy named Daniel was captured. Despite his young age, Daniel was gifted with a combination of intellectual, social, and physical aptitude. This young man was an excellent choice for the court of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar sought to show his absolute control over Judah, and he wanted to have a diverse group of advisers who could answer any of his pressing questions. Moreover, he wanted to add fresh minds to his brain trust.
The Bible describes a situation in which Daniel finds himself in between a rock and a hard place. In this case, he is caught between Nebuchadnezzar and God. Following his orders would displease God, while ignoring them would make him a target of Nebuchadnezzar’s enmity.
The story of Nebuchadnezzar begins about 605 B.C.E., when the Babylonian empire was ruled by Nebuchadnezzar II. During his time, the city of Babylon was a marvel of engineering. It reached a height of grandeur unparalleled in the ancient Near East. Afterward, the king sacked Jerusalem and exiled the Judeans. Some historians believe that Nebuchadnezzar had a “bestial episode” which led him to conquer his kingdom.
Daniel was part of the first wave of Judeans sent to Babylon by the Babylonian king. Together with Mishael, Hananiah, and Azariah, he gained favor in the court. This favor earned him favor from his superiors and chief eunuch.
The story of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign is a classic tale of megalomaniac rulers. In the Old Testament, the King of Babylon is mentioned by his name over 90 times. His conquest of Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple brought an end to David’s dynasty. In 605 B.C., he defeated the Assyrians and Egyptians at Carchemish.
Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles
Jeremiah’s letter to the Jews in Babylon was a prophetic communication that is essentially the same as Jeremiah’s letter to the Israelites. The letter begins with some introductory remarks. The prophet declares that his words are from God, and he gives divine instruction to the people. He also combats false prophets and establishes the authority of the true prophet.
The letter is filled with advice for the people in exile. Although God tells the exiles to build houses and live in them, he also warns them not to settle down. Unlike other prophets who claim that the exile situation will last for only a year or two, Jeremiah predicts a long exile. For the exiles, seventy years would have been a lifetime.
The prophet Jeremiah addresses the Jews in Babylon with an appeal to their loyalty to G-d. He urges the Jews to stay true to their faith despite the oppression and persecution that they endured. While the Jews were under Babylonian rule, they had to maintain their loyalty to their faith in G-d and the Torah to remain successful.
The Baruch epistle is also included in the Septuagint, although it is not canonical in the Masoretic tradition. It is included as chapter six of the Book of Baruch in the Vulgate and King James Version. Luther’s Bible and the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible also include Baruch.
Jeremiah’s letter to the Jews in Babylon contains warnings about false prophets. There were many false prophets among the Jews and many of them were willing to fool the people. Jeremiah warns the exiles to avoid false prophets and to follow only the true God.
Nebuchadnezzar’s decree to make Zedekiah king
While reestablishing his kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar made a critical mistake. He failed to heed the advice of his prophet Daniel. Although the vision was ominous and intense, the king failed to follow the advice. Instead, he made an administrative error and failed to include the leader of his intelligence service in the summons to an emergency consultation. Nebuchadnezzar had to face his fears and act responsibly.
Zedekiah’s reign was not a smooth one. He reigned for three months in Jerusalem, but did evil in the eyes of the Lord and was deported to Babylon. In response, King Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah king of Judah. His rule resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and the deaths of most of its leaders. Another result of the Zedekiah era was the re-enslavement of the people.
Daniel’s advice to Nebuchadnezzar to make Zedekiah king was based on two requirements. First, he had to be willing to renounce his sins and iniquities. Secondly, he had to renounce his wickedness, which would lead to prosperity.
The decree to make Zedekiah a king was the result of a rebellion against the Babylonian Empire. The Babylonians pursued Zedekiah from Jerusalem by way of the plains of Jericho, where they captured him. The Babylonians then took him prisoner and carried him to Babylon. Interestingly, the Hebrew God reacted to the king’s rebellion in Daniel 4 and disciplined him for doing what he should not have done.
While Nebuchadnezzar was still thinking that the Jews were forever under his rule, his loss of captives on the Euphrates shook his confidence. When he first stopped by the Euphrates, the Jews were in tears. Nebuchadnezzar forbade the Jews from expressing their emotions, so they could be silent. Eventually, he called upon the Levites to sing the Zion songs and consult with one another.
Neriglissar’s son Labashi-Marduk
The Bible records two important events that happened during the reign of Labashi-Marduk, the son of King Darius II. In 556 B.C., Labashi-Marduk ruled for two months before being assassinated. His son Nabonidus was then crowned king for a total of seventeen years.
According to the Bible, Neriglissar was a prominent prince in the Babylonian court before he came to the throne. He is also believed to have entered Jerusalem with the occupying armies and held the Rab-mag post. Rob-mag is a vague term, but is considered to be a high political post. He was also one of the princes who served the king of Babylon before the destruction of the city.
While Neriglissar was an excellent official and businessman, his reign did not last long. The last written evidence of Neriglissar dates from April 556 BC. Documents dated to Labashi-Marduk’s reign begin appearing in May and June of that year. Eventually, Belshazzar led a coup against Labashi-Marduk, and he was deposed. According to the Babylonian historian Berossus, this occurred because of Labashi-Marduk’s wicked ways.
Another important figure in the history of Babylon is Amel Marduk. This Babylonian king is regarded as a sympathetic figure by Bible scholars. He released Jehoiachin from prison, and provided him with the necessary food and clothing. But Berossus also writes that Amel Marduk was a cruel and tyrannical ruler who despised his people.
Neriglissar’s son Nabonidus
The biblical narratives of King Neriglissar include references to his son Nabonidus, who was also known as Labashi-Marduk. According to the Bible, Nabonidus ruled as king of Babylon, though he was not a member of the Chaldean ruling dynasty. His father, Neriglissar, had died at an early age and his son Labashi-Marduk, who had been younger than Nabonidus, succeeded him. However, Labashi-Marduk was considered unfit to rule, so he was killed in a conspiracy, and Neriglissar’s son, Nabonidus, took over his father’s throne.
The Bible records that Nabonidus did not rule Babylon for more than three years, leaving his son Belshazzar to lead the army. It is unclear why Nabonidus left his kingdom, but it may have been due to clashes with Marduk priests.
Neriglissar’s reign was short. His son Labasi-Marduk was removed from the throne by the powerful Babylonian nobleman Belshazzar, who led a coup against the king. He placed an old scholar, named Nabonidus, on the throne. While many scholars believe that Neriglissar and his son Nabonidus were commoners, this is not necessarily the case. Both were well-connected and likely rich.
After the fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the story continues. In the sixth century b.c., Belshazzar are recognized as co-regents. By the time the Book of Daniel is written, Belshazzar and Nabonidus have been captured by the Persians. The Bible depicts the fall of the Neo-Babylonian empire.
The Bible says that Neriglissar’s son was a child when he became the king of Babylon. The Bible says that the king’s son ruled for only two years before he was killed by his father. This is a very short reign, and the Bible does not tell us how he came to rule.