Topical Bible: Siege by Nebuchadnezzar
Topical Encyclopedia
The Siege by Nebuchadnezzar refers to the military campaigns led by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon against the Kingdom of Judah, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile. This event is a pivotal moment in biblical history, marking the end of the Davidic monarchy and the beginning of the Jewish diaspora.
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar II reigned from approximately 605 to 562 BC and was one of the most powerful monarchs of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His campaigns against Judah were part of a broader strategy to consolidate power in the region and secure Babylonian dominance over the ancient Near East.
Biblical Account
The Bible provides a detailed account of Nebuchadnezzar's sieges, particularly focusing on the events leading to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The initial siege began in 605 BC, during the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. This is recorded in 2 Kings 24:1: "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."
Following Jehoiakim's rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem again in 597 BC, leading to the capture of Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim's successor, and the first deportation of Judeans to Babylon. 2 Kings 24:14-16 describes this event: "He carried into exile all Jerusalem: all the commanders and mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. Only the poorest people of the land were left."
The final and most devastating siege occurred in 586 BC under King Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, who also rebelled against Babylonian rule. The Bible records the horrors of this siege in 2 Kings 25:1-3: "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 the eleventh year of King Zedekiah."
Destruction of Jerusalem
The siege culminated in the breach of Jerusalem's walls, the destruction of the city, and the burning of the Temple, as described in 2 Kings 25:8-9: "On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building."
Theological Significance
Theologically, the siege and subsequent exile are seen as divine judgment for the persistent idolatry and disobedience of the people of Judah. The prophets, including Jeremiah and Ezekiel, had warned of impending judgment if the nation did not repent. 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.’"
Impact on Jewish Identity
The Babylonian Exile had a profound impact on Jewish identity and religious practice. It marked a shift from a temple-centered worship to a more community-based faith, laying the groundwork for the development of synagogues and the emphasis on the Torah. The exile also reinforced the hope for a future restoration and the coming of a Messiah, as prophesied in texts like Isaiah and Daniel.
References in Other Biblical Books
The events of the siege and exile are referenced throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Lamentations, which mourns the destruction of Jerusalem, and Daniel, which provides insight into the life of the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem are chronicled in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, highlighting God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Kings 24:10,11
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
Nave's Topical Index
Daniel 1:1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Kings 25:1-3
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.
Nave's Topical Index
Jeremiah 52:1
Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
On the Mount of Olives
... A portion of the wall had withstood the siege by Nebuchadnezzar's army. In its perfect
masonry it appeared like one solid stone dug entire from the quarry. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 69 on the mount.htm
How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ...
... They were indeed only generals of the king of Babylon, to whom Nebuchadnezzar committed
the care of the siege, for he abode himself in the city of Riblah. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how the king.htm
Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ...
... 2. But now, after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach his son succeeded in
the ... the sake of his country, that it might not be taken by siege, and utterly ...
/.../the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning nebuchadnezzar and.htm
'As Sodom'
... siege-towers. We hear of no active siege operations till the final assault.
Famine was Nebuchadnezzar's best general. 'Sitting down ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/as sodom.htm
The Captivity.
... prison for prophesying that he would bring ruin on himself, Nebuchadnezzar soon
marched ... The siege of Jerusalem lasted a year, and no one suffered more than the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm
Zedekiah
... The miseries of the siege live for ever in the Book of Lamentations ... caught at last
down by the fords of the Jordan, carried prisoner to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/zedekiah.htm
Babylon.
... Edom was soon after conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, thus fulfilling many prophecies. ...
The siege lasted thirteen years, and the besiegers suffered as much as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm
Carried Captive into Babylon
... At the time of the final overthrow of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, many had escaped
the horrors of the long siege, only to perish by the sword. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 37 carried captive into.htm
The End
... him to Babylon.8. And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which
is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of ... The siege was a blockade ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the end.htm
Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... year of Zedekiah, and in the eighteenth month from the commencement of the siege. ...
He was sent in chains to Nebuchadnezzar, who had left the conclusion of the ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm
Resources
What is the history of Masada? | GotQuestions.org
When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org
Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org
Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com
Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus