The emptiness of exilic and early Persian Judah: A historical study

Abstract

The exile of some Judeans under the Babylonian Empire from 597 to 582 BCE is perceived to have left the land of Judah without residents, according to some biblical passages. Historically and biblically, the land of Judah was not left empty, but some peasants remained behind when the important and legitimate elite was deported to Babylon. Some Judeans fled to Egypt and other neighbouring countries. Some of the elite were executed around 587–586 BCE. The legitimate monarchs of Judah were either murdered or deported to Babylon and Egypt. Gedaliah, of non-royal lineage, was appointed as a governor of Judah by Babylon, but he was assassinated. Subsequently, Judah was left without leadership or was probably incorporated into the Samaria provincial governance. The second rebellion of Zedekiah in 588 BCE resulted in the fall of Jerusalem (586 BCE), the capital city of Judah. The deported, murdered and dispersed elite left a legitimate leadership void, which translates into the exile of Judah. The cultic and civil services performed by the elite like festal ceremonies, daily sacrifices, trade, public administration, military and judiciary were halted by the Babylonian exile.Thus, Judah was exiled by Babylon at the termination of necessary services done in Jerusalem.