Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Babylonian Captivity
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
James Tissot: The Flight of the Prisoners The prophet Isaiah Painting by Rembrandt van Rijn showing Jeremiah sitting in a dimly lit cave, head resting on his hand in sorrow, with Jerusalem burning in the background. Statue of Nebuchadnezzar, a bearded statue in ornate robes holding a staff, set among columns and Babylonian architecture. Etching by Jan Luyken shows Babylonian soldiers leading captives from Jerusalem as the city burns in the background, with columns of smoke and ruined buildings. Gouache painting, showing Jewish exiles in robes sitting and reclining by a river under trees, gazing toward a city. Engraving by Gustave Dore showing Cyrus the Great standing among ornate columns as he returns gold and silver vessels to figures in foreground. Embroidered wall hanging shows seated figures by a river, musical instruments hanging from trees, and a city labeled as Zion, illustrating a bible verse.
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what youā€™ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
James Tissot: The Flight of the Prisoners
James Tissot: The Flight of the Prisoners The Flight of the Prisoners, gouache on board by James Tissot, c.1896ā€“1902; in The Jewish Museum, New York City.

Babylonian Captivity

Jewish history
Also known as: Babylonian Exile
Written by
Charles Preston
Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at EncyclopƦdia Britannica.
Charles Preston
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
ā€¢History

Babylonian Captivity, the forced displacement of the Judaeans from Judaea to Babylonia following the Neo-Babylonian empireā€™s conquest of the kingdom of Judah in 598/7 and 587/6 bce. The Babylonian Captivity had a profound and lasting impact on Judaism, giving rise to new religious practices and reshaping theology, identity, and biblical texts as the Jewish people grappled with exile from the land that they believed God had promised them. The captivity formally ended in 538 bce...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile