The Fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile
In 586 BCE, the mighty Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem, an event that devastated the Jewish people. The sacred First Temple was burned to the ground, tens of thousands of lives were lost, and the capital of the Jewish kingdom, which had stood for over four centuries, was reduced to rubble.
Those who survived the onslaught were forced to march to Babylon on a long and punishing journey—many perished along the way.
Lamentation by the Rivers of Babylon
Upon reaching the banks of the Euphrates River, the exiles expressed their grief and longing in powerful lamentation:
“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.”
Amid the trauma and heartbreak, the prophet Jeremiah offered a message of resilience and hope. He urged the exiles to plant roots in their new home:
“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit… After seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill My good promise to bring you back to this place.”
Life in Babylon: Integration Without Assimilation
As time passed, the Jewish exiles adjusted to life in Babylon. They learned the language, engaged in farming and trade, and gradually prospered. Yet, even as they adopted some Babylonian customs, they maintained their unique identity.
Documents housed at the Bible Lands Museum—written in Babylonian cuneiform nearly 2,600 years ago—bear Jewish names like Haggai, Joshua, Arikam, and Netanyahu. Others reflect Babylonian influence, suggesting cultural exchange but not a loss of identity.
Despite these changes, the Jewish people preserved their traditions, upheld the Torah, observed the Sabbath, and formed tight-knit communities that remained distinct from their neighbors.
A Distant Dream: Return to Zion
Though Jewish life continued in Babylon, the hope of returning to Jerusalem began to fade. The oppressive policies of the Babylonian kings made any return seem impossible.
But in 539 BCE, everything changed.
The Rise of Cyrus the Great
That year, Cyrus the Great, king of Persia and Media, led his army to conquer Babylon. As he entered the city, he made a groundbreaking proclamation that would alter history:
All exiled peoples, including the Jews, were permitted to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
The Edict of Cyrus: A Historical Breakthrough
For centuries, knowledge of this remarkable edict came only from the Hebrew Bible. But in 1879 CE, archaeologists unearthed a clay cylinder from the ruins of Babylon. Inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform, it confirmed the edict’s authenticity.
Though differences exist between the cylinder and biblical texts, scholars agree that they both reference Cyrus’s declaration of religious freedom. It appears Cyrus issued the edict in various languages to suit the beliefs of each nation.
The Book of Ezra preserves the Hebrew version:
“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people—may his God be with him—let him go up to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of the Lord.”
Return to Zion: A New Beginning
The Jews were overjoyed. For the first time in generations, the land of Israel was once again within reach. The Return to Zion began.
With renewed faith and determination, the exiles set out on a journey home. Their return marked the beginning of a glorious new era in Jewish history: the Second Temple Period—a time of rebuilding, spiritual revival, and national restoration.
