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Home , Jehoiakim, Jehu, Zedekiah

Writ ten by Sherry Worel

Unpacking the Book #8 The Neighbors I. The surrounding kingdoms: A. –An almost forgotten nation during this time. B. Aramaea – (Damascus) these states were to the north of and were wiped out by . The language of Christ came from this part of the world. C. Assyria - See Isa. 10:5 The major assault on Palestine came at the hands of Tiglath-pileser III (744-727 BC). The credit for its fall goes to Sargon II (772-705). Shalmaneser V (726-722 BC) attacked . D. - An alliance with the Median Kingdom resulted in the New-Babylonian Empire. E. Persia (Medes) – A massive empire spread from Greece to India. Judah fell at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and was burnt down by his general, Nabuzaradan. I. Assyria (~1100–612 BC) A. Located along the banks of the Tigris River – north of the region of Babylon. Near the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. B. Its name comes from its capital city “Asshur” C. Other cities in Assyria also appear in the biblical record: See Gen. 10:11-12 for Calah and Ninevah. See for Ninevah. D. Its expansion: [Syria begins to expand and that’s when it become a problem for Israel] 1. Under Tiglath-Pileser I (1115-1077 BC) Assyria expanded to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. 2. This expansion was followed by 166 years of decline. 3. Ashurasirpal II (883-859 BC) and his son Shalmaneser III (858-824 BC) continued the expansion through a series of campaigns in every direction. In ~841 BC Shalmaneser received tribute from the kings of Tyre, Sidon and King of Israel 4. After another period of decline, Tiglath-Pileser III (744-727 BC) caused both King of Israel and King Rezin of Aramea to give tribute and become vassals of Assyria (2 Kings 15). (Judah) also became an Assyrian vassal. (, 2 Chron. 28). Tiglath-Pileser III is considered to be one of the most successful military commanders in world history, conquering most of the world known to the ancient Assyrians before his death (according to Wikipedia). 5. Shalmaneser V (726-722 BC) besieged Samaria for three years after refused to pay tribute (). Samaria (capital city of Israel) finally fell in 722 BC. Sargon II (722- 705 BC) took credit for the victory and deported 27,290 inhabitants of Samaria. Some of the people (especially the “faithful”) fled to Judah, but most were deported and scattered in Assyria. Then Sargon imported people from Babylon and Syria to be resettled in Israel (2 Kings 17:24-41) among the remaining people of Israel. This is the origin of the Samaritan “mixed race” which we read about in the New Testament (John 4, Luke 10).

Edited and taught by Cathy Ulrich www.cathy.tomulrichconsulting.com 2 6. Sennacherib (704-681 BC) after dealing with widespread revolt with Babylon, and Palestine. He invades Judah in 701 BC. (2 Kings 20, 2 Chron. 32, Isa. 22). resisted (with the encouragement of Isaiah). God delivered Judah () and the Assyrians withdrew. 7. Assyria had a series of wars with Egypt and Babylon until 614 BC when the Medes sacked the capital city of Asshur. In 612 BC the combined army of the Medes and Babylonians captured Ninevah. By 605 BC historians say, “Assyria was no more.” E. More about the culture: 1. the first people to understand/invent locks and keys 2. had the first paved roads 3. first postal system between their 70 provinces 4. first libraries 5. first flush toilets! F. Other historical events in this time frame: 1. Homer wrote Illiad and Odyssey 750 BC 2. Rome was founded in 753 BC 3. First Olympic games in 776 BC G. Spiritually: nebulous pieces of history suggest that Thomas, Bartholomew and Thaddeus established the Christian church in Assyria. II. Babylon (the Neo-Babylonian Period) (~612-593 BC) A. Located along the river Euphrates B. Its name is the same Hebrew word for “Babel” (Gen. 10:10, 11:9) C. Its expansion: 1. Assyrian domination of the region ended with Ashurbanipal in 627 BC. 2. Egypt challenged Babylon for the right to inherit Assyria’s vast empire. In 605 BC Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish (Jer. 46:2-12). 3. The Babylonians then turned their attention to Judah. “In 604 and 603 Nebuchadnezzar, campaigned along the Palestinian coast. At this time , king of Judah, became an unwilling vassal of Babylon. For two years Judah was harassed by Babylonian vassals (:1-2). Then, in December of 598 BC, Nebuchadnezzar marched on Jerusalem. Jehoiakim died that same month, and his son Jehoiachin surrendered the city to the Babylonians on March 16, 597 BC. Many Judeans, including the royal family [and ], were deported to Babylon (2 Kings 24:6-12).” (Holman Bible Atlas, p.222) Johoiachin’s uncle, , was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, and he reigned 11 years. From 588-586BC Nebuchadnezzar’s army besieged Jerusalem and ultimately destroyed it. Sidebar 4. Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest king in this period. Exile: 597-538 BC His successors were “insignificant.” In 539 BC the 1st deportation: 597 BC Persian king, Cyrus II (the great) took Babylon 2nd deportation: 586 BC without a fight. (fall of Jerusalem) 3rd deportation: 582-581 BC D. Other historical events in this time frame: 1. Lives of Buddha (563-483 BC) and Confucius (551- 479 BC) 3 2. Hanging gardens of Babylon – one of the Seven Wonders of the World (600 BC) E. Other cultural things: 1. Ancient Babylon (after Abraham’s time), the Code of Hammurabi 2. Strong mathematicians. First to divide the circle in 360 degrees of 60 arc minutes. Still reflected in our modern clock. 3. Significant medical strides, especially related to surgeries. III. Persia – (~590-330BC) A. The Persian Empire extended from Greece to India and from Southern Russia to the Gulf of Oman. B. Its name comes from its southern most region called Parsis. C. Its expansion: 1. Cyrus II [aka ] (539-530 BC) ruled a combined kingdom of Medes (located to the Northeast and east of Babylonians) and Persians. He allowed the to return to Judah (Ezra 1:1-4) 2. Once Darius I (522-486 BC) came to the throne, the empire extended well into India. He organized this vast empire into satrapies and then into smaller groups of provinces. Extensive roads were built and conquered people were given a measure of self rule. A distinctive thing about the Persians is they allowed the people they conquered Sidebar to have a significant degree of self-rule. Cyrus the Great 539-530 BC Daniel, Ezra This meant “official support for keeping 1-3, Isaiah 45 Jewish Law in the land of the Jews.” Cambyses 530-522 BC Ezra 4-6 Darius I 522-486 BC Ezra 4:7-23 Darius supported the rebuilding of the Xerxes I 486-465 BC Esther temple (Ezra 6:15) (Ahasuerues) Artaxerexes 464-423 BC Ezra 7-10 D. The books of Daniel and Esther occur Nehemiah during the Persian Rule. Artaxerxes II 404-359 BC E. The Haggai, Zechariah and Darius III 336-331 BC Malachi helped the Jews to hope for restoration of their land. Rebuilding of 537-516 BC Jerusalem F. Other historical events in this time frame: 1. Foundation of Roman Republic (510) 1st return of exiles 583 BC 2. Caste system in India established (500) 2nd return of exiles 525 BC

IV.So what? Ezra returns 458 BC Consider that all things (personal, biblical, Nehemiah rebuilds 445-433 BC walls national and international) are under the sovereign control of God. He “turns” them as He sees fit. See Prov. 21:1 and 2 Chron. 20:6. He controls the flow of history and He sometimes uses “not nice” people to accomplish His task (see 1 Kings 12:15, Exodus 7:3, 2 Kings 24:2-4, Daniel 9:14). I can have peace because He is in charge. 4 Main Stages of Israelite & Jewish History 4000 Years of Development (Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Religion) http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/History-Israelite&Jewish.htm

1. Pre- Historic Period o Creation of the World; Adam & Eve; Cain & Abel; Noah & the Flood; Tower of Babel I. Hebrew /Israelite Period (Second Millennium to ca. 586 BC) o Abraham & the Israelite Patriarchs; Moses & the Exodus; Joshua & the Conquest; Era of Judges (Confederation of 12 Tribes) o United Monarchy (, , ); Divided Monarchies (N: Israel; S: Judah); Destruction of 1st Temple; Babylonian Exile II. Second Temple Period (ca. 586 BC - 70 AD) o Persian Era (Jews return from exile, rebuild Jerusalem & Temple); Hellenistic/Greek Era (Alexander the Great; Ptolemies & Seleucids) o Maccabean/Hasmonean Era (desecration & rededication of Temple); Roman Era (Herod the Great; Jesus; Destruction of 2nd Temple) III. Rab binic Period (ca. 70 AD - 6th Century) o Leading rabbis adapt Judaism for the post-Temple era; focus on reinterpreting & applying the Torah (both written & oral) o Canonization of the ; Codification of the Mishnah; Compilation of the Talmuds; other rabbinic literature IV. Medieval Period (6th - 16th Centuries) o Solidification of Jewish life & culture & literature; Persecution/Expulsion of Jews from various countries at various times o Division of Jews into various cultural/geographical groups: Ashkenazi Jews, Sephardic Jews, Yemeni Jews, etc. V. Earl y Modern & Modern Period (17th - 21st Centuries) o Division of Judaism into more branches: Hasidic, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Restorationist, Humanist, Non-Religious, etc. o Rise of Zionist Movements (late 1800's); Nazi-era Holocaust / Shoah (1933-1945); modern State of Israel established (1948)

Domination & Independence 1. For most of biblical history, the land known as Canaan, Israel, and/or Palestine was ruled by six major empires: o E gy ptians, A s syrians, B ab ylonians, P er sians, G r eeks, R om ans. o Mnemonic Aid for remembering these empires: "Eat At Bob's, Pasadena's Great Restaurant." o From the mid-7th to mid-20th centuries, Palestine was ruled mostly by Muslims (with some Christian control during the Crusades). 2. Before the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948, there were only two relatively short periods of independence for the people of ancient Israel in a unified kingdom: o The Golden Age of the Israelite Monarchy, under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon (ca. 1030 - 930 BC) between the weakening of the Egyptian Empire and the rise of the Assyrian Empire. 5 o The Restoration of Jewish Independence under the Maccabean / (ca. 164 - 63 BC) between the weakening of the Greek Empire and the rise of the Roman Empire. o The Establishment of the Modern State of Israel, by mandate of the United Nations (1948 - present) after the Second World War and the Shoah, in which ca. 6 million Jews were killed. 3. Before the Nazi-era Holocaust/Shoah, the two most traumatic events in the history of the people of Israel involved the total destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem, and the subsequent expulsion of the Jews from the Holy Land: o 587 BC: total destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple ("Solomon's Temple") by the Babylonian army, beginning the "Babylonian Exile" (until ca. 539 BC). o 70 AD : total destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple ("Herod's Temple") by the Roman army, causing the Jews to lose the Holy Land (until 1948!).

I. 2 nd TEMPLE PERIOD – (586BC – 70 AD) [after Persian rule] 332-141 BC - HELLENISTIC/GREEK ERA - conquest of the entire Persian Empire by a Macedonian general, Alexander the Great; establishment of Greek language, Hellenistic culture, religion, and government throughout the East; founding and/or reconstruction of many new Greek- style cities (e.g. anything named Alexandria, Antioch) 323 - Alexander dies while still very young; entire empire divided among four of his generals, who fight each other for control in the "Wars of the Diadochi"; eventually two dynasties control most of the East (the Ptolemies & the Seleucids) 323-198 - Ptolemaic dynasty rulers in Egypt control Palestine (Judea, Samaria, etc.) - few historical records; ca. 250 - Hebrew Scriptures translated into Greek in Alexandria, Egypt; new writings added (LXX; the Septuagint Bible) 198-141 - Seleucid dynasty from Syria rules over Palestine; growing pressure on Jews to assimilate & accept Greek culture 167 - desecration of Jerusalem Temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, i.e. statues of Greek gods put there, sparking a revolt by pious rural Jews led by Mattathias (an old priest) and carried on after his death by his sons, especially Judas "Maccabeus" (167-61) - eldest son, nicknamed "the hammer" 164 - Maccabean revolt successful: most of Jerusalem retaken; "rededication" of the Jerusalem Temple (still celebrated by Jews in the Feast of Hanukkah!) 161-142 - Jonathan (another son of Mattathias), led the continued fight against the Seleucids to gain control gradually over more of Israel 141-63 - MACCABEAN ERA / Hasmonean Dynasty - another short period of Jewish independence under various Maccabean/Hasmonean rulers. Monastery of Qumran founded by Essenes; Pharisees and Sadducees become prominent; Samaria & Idumea conquered by Jews - I (134-104) - expands Israel; conquers Samaritans & Idumeans, destroys city/temple of Samaria; "Pharisees" & "Sadducees" first appear as rival Jewish groups, with different interpretations of Jewish Laws 63 BC to ca. 650 CE - ROMAN ERA of domination in Israel/Palestine 63 BC - Roman army under General Pompey takes over much of Middle East, incl. Israel - Hyrcanus II (63-40) - member of the Hasmonean family; remains as high priest, but not as king - Antipater (from Idumea) and sons Herod & Phasael - very influential politically & militarily, with Roman support 40-4 BC - HEROD the Great; Roman Senate names him "King" over Judea, Idumea, Perea, Samaria, Galilee. Herod consolidates his power, executes scores of enemies, and begins massive building/rebuilding projects, including cites with Roman temples (esp. Caesarea Maritimae - huge 6 artificial harbor; Sebaste - formerly Samaria), fortresses (Masada, Herodium, Hyrcania, Machaerus, etc.), and rebuilds/expands the Jerusalem Temple 4 BC - 66 AD - when Herod the Great dies, his kingdom is divided between three surviving sons & one sister 4 BC - 33 AD - Herod Philip rules as "Tetrarch" of regions North-East of the Sea of Galilee 4 BC - 39 AD - Herod Antipas rules as "Tetrarch" of Galilee and Perea 4 BC - 6 AD - Herod Archelaus rules as "Ethnarch" of Judea, Idumea, Samaria 6-66 AD - Judea, Idumea, Samaria under direct rule of Roman Procurators (e.g. Pontius Pilate), responsible to the Governors in Syria; various political/resistance movements form (Zealots, Sicarii, etc.), with some small-scale revolts 37-44 AD - Herod Agrippa I (a grandson of Herod the Great) allowed by Romans to rule more of Palestine 50-70's - Herod Agrippa II rules parts of Palestine, esp. in Northeast 49-54 - "all Jews" (or only Jewish Christians?) expelled from Rome by "Edict of Claudius" (until his death) 66-74 AD - FIRST JEWISH REVOLT / WAR against ROME; begins in Galilee and Jerusalem (recorded in ' Jewish War) 67-68 - Roman armies under General Vespasian retake Galilee, Samaria, Perea, and most of Judea; also destroy Qumran 68-70 - pause in war because Emperor Nero dies; 3 transitional emperors; then Vespasian himself becomes emperor 70 - Jerusalem captured by General Titus; whole city burned; destruction of the Second Temple by the ROMAN army 73/74 - Roman conquest of last Jewish holdouts in the desert fortress of Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea

II. RABBINIC PERIOD (ca. 70 AD - 6th Century): Land of Palestine/Israel: domination by the ROMANS continues: • 74-132 AD - after suppressing the revolt, Romans rule over Israel directly; Jews and Christians spread further outside of Judea o ca. 90 (or 85) - "Council of Jamnia" - leading Jewish rabbis meet at Javneh/Jamnia to consolidate Judaism; expel "heretics" from synagogues, probably including those who believe Jesus is the Messiah; they also determine the "canon" of the Hebrew Bible o 90's - Christianity gradually separates from Judaism and emerges as independent religion • 132-135 AD - Second Jewish revolt, led by Bar Kochba, put down by Emperor Hadrian; Jerusalem completely destroyed; all Jews banned from Judea after 135; Jerusalem rebuilt as Roman city called Aelia Capitolina; Israel renamed "Palestine"

III. MEDIEVAL PERIOD (6th - 16th Centuries AD): Land of Palestine/Israel: • 630's AD - Muslim Invasion leads to Islamic Rule of Palestine and entire Middle East; only few Jews remain in Holy Land o ca. 800 - Pact of Omar regulates Jewish life within Islamic lands • 1095 - 1240's - Crusades; control of Jerusalem goes back and forth several times between Muslims and Christians • 1300's - 1917 - Ottoman Turkish Empire controls Palestine & the whole Middle East Jewish Life elsewhere: • Division of Jews into various cultural/geographical groups: 7 o Ashkenazi Jews (Central & Eastern Europe); o Sephardic Jews (Spain & North Africa); o Yemeni Jews (southern Arabia) • Persecution and/or Expulsion of Jews in/from several countries at various times: o 1096 - massacre of Jews in Rhineland by Christians preparing to go on the First Crusade o 1144 - "blook libel" in Norwich, England; 1291 - expulsion of Jews from England o 13th Cent. - Jews protected in Poland o 1492 - all Jews expelled from Spain

IV. EARLY MODERN & MODERN PERIODS (17th - 21st Centuries AD): Jewish Life outside of Palestine/Israel: • Encounter with the Enlightenment: some Jews wish to adapt/assimilate; others resist/reject any modernization o Jews granted increasing civil rights in Western Europe o Moses Mendelsohn, most prominent Jewish enlightenment philosopher • Division of Judaism into more & more branches: o Hasidic - begins early 18th century in Eastern Europe o Orthodox - o Conservative - o Reform - first Reform synagogue in Hamburg, Germany (1818); Hebrew Union College opens in Cincinnati (1875) o Restorationist - o Humanist - o Non-Religious, etc. • Rise of Zionist Movements (with religious and non-religious segments) - political goal: re- establish a Jewish homeland/nation in Israel • Persecutions of Jews continue in some places: o 1880's-1920's - Pogroms against Jews in Eastern Europe causes mass emigrations to the United States o 1933-1945 - Holocaust / Shoah - ca. 6 million European Jews killed during Nazi era Within the Land of Palestine/Israel: • 1919 - after World War I, the League of Nations authorizes Britain to administer Palestine • 1948 - Establishment of State of Israel by mandate of the United Nations - followed immediately by a series of wars with its Arab neighbors: o 1948-49 - Israeli War of Independence o 1956 - Suez War o 1967 - Six Day War; Israelis take control of all of Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights o 1973 - Yom Kippur War o 1982 - Lebanon War o 1987-93 - First Intifada: Palestinian uprising in occupied territories o 1993 - Oslo Accords: peace talks begin between Israel and PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) o 2000-05 - Second Intifada, or al-Aqsa Intifada o 2006 - Israel-Lebanon Conflict