the chronology of the babylonian captivity

7/25/2019 The Chronology of the Babylonian Captivity

1/20

THE CHRONOLOGY

OF THE

BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITYTHEODORE TURNER


2/20

INTRODUCTIONAfter the fall of Babylon, Daniel states, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years

whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years

in the desolations of Jerusalem. (Daniel 9: 2) Clearly, Daniel understands that the fall of Babylonprecedes the release from captivity that began for him personally in the third year of Jehoiakim. He

appeals to God to end the captivity based upon both the prophecies of Jeremiah and the oath [seventimes] that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God. This is a clear reference to the prophecy in

Leviticus 26 as the basis for the seventy-year captivity and an appeal to the promises in that chapter, as

well as the promises in Jeremiah.

And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and

your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths,

as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest,

and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in

your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. And upon them that are left alive of you I will send

a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf

shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when

none pursueth. And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when

none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. And ye shallperish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. And they that

are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the

iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them. If they shall confess their

iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed

against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have

walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if

then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of

their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with

Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the

land. The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth

desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity:because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my

statutes. And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast

them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant

with them: for I am the LORD their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant

of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the

heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 26:33-45)

For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will

visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and

not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go andpray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye

shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I

will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the

places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the

place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. Because ye have said, The LORD

hath raised us up prophets in Babylon; Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that

sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of

your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity; Thus saith the LORD of

hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will

make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil. And I will persecute them


3/20

with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be

removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an

hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: Because they

have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants

the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from

Jerusalem to Babylon: (Jeremiah 29:10-20)

THE FULFILMENT OF THE FOUR SEVEN TIMESTo understand the chronology of the captivity we must understand how Leviticus 26 was fulfilled

by literal Israel.

God specified also the sure result of a disregard for His commands. If ye will not

hearken unto me, He said, and will not do all these commandments, ... I also will do this

unto you: I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and burning ague, that shall

consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for

your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you; for ye shall be slain by your

enemies. They that hate you shall reign over you, and ye shall flee when none pursueth

you. And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven timesmore for your sins, and I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven

as iron, and your earth as brass, and your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land

shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

The prophecies regarding Israel were fulfilled to the letter. God permitted His

chosen people to be scattered as captives in strange lands. When they repented, God

took them to Himself again, and established them in His own land. But their continual

disobedience resulted in their complete overthrow, and in the overthrow of Jerusalem.

Manuscript 40-1898

We will see that the four seven times of Leviticus 26 were fulfilled by four events in the

progressive captivity of Judah. These events occurred in the reigns of Manasseh, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachinand Zedekiah and cover the period of the last seven kings of Judah.

First, we must understand the fulfilment of Leviticus 26 as it occurred historically. Sister White

says of the scattering of literal Israel, the topic of Leviticus 26, This prophecy, fulfilled in part in the

time of the judges, met a more complete and literal fulfillment in the captivity of Israel in Assyria and of

Judah in Babylon.1We can see that this is indeed true. The prophecy of Leviticus 26 is conditional and

consists of a series of four if/then statements.

1Prophets and Kings, 296


4/20

1. [I]f ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven timesmore for your sins.

2. if ye walk contrary unto me[then] I will bring seven times more plagues upon you

according to your sins

3. if ye will not be reformed by me by these things Then will I punish you yet seventimes for your sins.

4. if ye will not for all this hearken unto me Then I will chastise you seven times for

your sins. Leviticus26:18, 21, 24 and 28.

The first part of Leviticus 26 describes the blessing for obedience to the sabbatical rest of the land

as laid out in chapter 25. It then outlines the consequences of disobedience. Leviticus 26 finds its

parallel in Deuteronomy 28, where we see the blessings and curses in more detail. We will see that

there are differences between Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 that are important. These chapters are

parallel but Leviticus 26 refers to the events at the beginning of the captivity of literal Israel while

Deuteronomy refers to events at the close.

The blessings promised to Israel for obedience are,

1. Blessings of the land:

i.

rain in due season

ii.

the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit

iii. your threshing shall reach unto the vintage and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing

time

iv. ye shall eat your bread to the full

2.

Divine protection:

i. [Ye shall] dwell in your land safely

ii.

I will give peace in the land

iii. ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid

iv.

I will rid evil beasts out of the land

3. Military prowess:

i.

neither shall the sword go through your land

ii.

ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword

iii. five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight:

iv.

your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

4. A reiteration of the covenant blessings:

i.

For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my

covenant with you.

ii.

ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new

iii.

I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.

iv.

I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

(Leviticus 26:4-12)

These blessings are sealed with the same promise that serves as a preamble to the ten

commandments, I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye

should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright

(Leviticus 26:13)

The curses, then, are the direct result of failure to keep the covenant. The character of this

disobedience is outlined below.

But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if

ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all

my commandments, but that ye break my covenant. (Leviticus 26:14-15)


5/20

The curses represent a reversal of the promised blessings and are the natural result of

disobedience, which is characterized as an act of divine retribution.

I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and

the burning ague [fever], that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye

shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against

you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you;

and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. (Leviticus 26:14-17)

At this point of Leviticus 26, no period of probation is introduced, other than that that is set out in

the covenant promise, If you keep my covenant, you will receive these blessings; if not, my blessings

will be removed and curses are the result. The curses, then, are the natural result of disobedience. Weare reminded of the words of Balaam, How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? He could not

curse Gods people while they were obedient.

FOUR STEPS IN THE CAPTIVITY OFANCIENT ISRAELWe are now introduced to the four steps that led to the captivity of ancient Israel in Babylon. If the

natural results of disobedience are insufficient to restore Gods people, then special measures must be

taken. These four if/then statements can be found to be fulfilled in the captivity of literal Israel and areconditional as to their length. These parallel the promised blessings. These are,

First If/Then Chastisement (vv. 18-20)

a. Chastisement Prolonged for Seven (v. 18)b. Breaking of the Pride of Power (v. 19a)

c. Heaven Iron / Earth Brass (v. 19b)

d. Curse of Land and Trees (v. 20)

Second If/Then Chastisement (vv. 21-22)

a. Chastisement Prolonged for Seven (v. 21)b. Wild Beasts (Gentile Nations) (v. 22a)

c. Begin Depopulation of Israel (v. 22b)d. Civil Disorder (v. 22c)

Third If/Then Chastisement (vv. 23-26)

a. Chastisement of Yet Seven (vv. 23, 24)

b. Sword to Avenge Quarrel of Covenant (v. 25a)

c. Siege and Pestilence (v. 25b)

d. Captivity (v. 25c)

e. Famine for the Word of God (v. 26)

Fourth If/Then Chastisement (vv. 27-38)

a. Final Chastisement for Seven (vv. 27-28)b. Siege of Jerusalem (v. 29)

c. Sanctuaries Destroyed (vv. 30-31)

(1) False Worship Ended (v. 30)

(2) Solomons Temple Destroyed (v. 31)d. Dispersion - Exile (v. 32, 33)

(1) Land Desolate

(2) People Removed

e. Desertion of the Land (vv. 34-38)

(1) Forced Sabbatical Rest for the Land (vv. 34-35)

(2) The Stricken Remnant (vv. 36-38)


6/20

The question is, how do we match this prophecy with what happened historically? How was thisprophecy fulfilled by literal Israel? As mentioned earlier, Sister White saw these as partially fulfilled in

the period of the judges with a more complete fulfilment in the captivities of Israel and Judah. That is, if

the conditions for repentance were met, as in the time of the judges, the chastisements would be

reversed or at least lessened. What we need to consider, in regards to the answer to the question, whendid these things occur? is to find the events that fulfill the specifications of the prophecy.

THE BREAKING OF THE PRIDE OF POWER (KINGSHIP)Manassehs captivity occurred in 677 BC as a fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah7. This prophecy

is given to Ahaz when he is threatened by a confederacy between Syria and the northern kingdom of

Israel, represented as Ephraim. Isaiah meets Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the

highway of the fuller's field, at the beginning of Ahazreign. Isaiah proclaims in verse 8, within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken. This is connected to Leviticus 26:19, which says, I wil

break the pride of your power. Shalmaneser V broke Ephraims power (northern Israel) when he

carried Hoshea to Assyria 19 years after the giving of this prophecy, prior to the siege of Samaria in 723

BC. This was within the 65 years allotted.

And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to

So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year byyear: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. Then the king

of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it

three years. (2 Kings 17:4-5)

However, the prophecy of Isaiah 7 was not primarily a prophecy regarding northern Israel. We

know that the 65 years was fulfilled by the captivity of Manasseh in 677 BC for several reasons. First,

the prophecy was given to Ahaz king of Judah at the beginning of his reign in 742 BC. That is, the

prophecy was for Judah and not for Ephraim. Further, when Ahaz at the LORDs request refused to ask

for a sign of the prophecys fulfilment (in that Ahaz was seeking to have Assyria protect him from theconfederacy, rather than God), he was still given a sign.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and

bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may

know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse

the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her

kings. (Isaiah 7:14-16)

Though it is properly seen as a prophecy relating to Jesus birth, it is also fulfilled in relation to the

65 year prophecy. The prophecy points to a period when the land of Israel would be forsaken of both

her kings. Israel was forsaken of its king in 723 BC. Judah was forsaken of its king when Esarhaddon

carried Manasseh to Babylon. When the land is forsaken of both her kings, the child that was to be born

would experience a conversion due to the hardship he experienced. The eating of butter and honey is aHebrew idiom that refers to affliction. The virgin referred to in the prophecy could be none other than

Hephzibah, the mother of Manasseh. Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and

reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah. (2Kings 21:1) If we

compare this with Isaiah 62:4, Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land anymore be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD

delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married, we can see that connexion between the land, king, son

and mother take on a greater prophetic significance. In this way, we can see that Manasseh is a type of

Christ.

The sign, as it applied to the period of literal Israel, was not the virgin birth but the captivity of

Manasseh and his subsequent conversion. This can be seen further, when we consider the Hebrew of


7/20

Leviticus 26:18. Though the English translations do not show this, a Hebrew word is left untranslated. I

we were to translate this literally it would read then more I will punish you [a sign] seven for your

sins. The Hebrew word that we have translated as a sign (H853) is contracted from the same word

that is translated as a sign (H226) in Isaiah7:14. The translators refuse, generally, to translate this

word into English. It is interpreted as the sign of the definite direct object that it generally precedes and

indicates the accusative case. We then could translate verse 18 as, then more I will punish you [even]

seven for your sins.The point is, there is a linguistic connexion between the first of the seven times

and the sign of the 65 year prophecy of Isaiah 7.

If we are to take the breaking of the pride of the power of Judah as the commencement of the firstseven times, when does it end? Obviously, it should be when the next chastisement begins. Thequestion can also be asked, what is required to avert the next chastisement? The first seven times

marked with the captivity of Manasseh but another part of the sign is that his affliction (the eating of

butter and honey) leads to his conversion (knowing to refuse the evil and choose the good). We find the

fulfilment of this prophecy recorded in Scripture.

Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of

Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and

carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God,

and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he

was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem

into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. (2 Chronicles 33:11-

13)

PERIOD OF REFORM UNDER JOSIAHThe reform that began with Manasseh did not continue under Amon.

But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father:

for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and

served them; And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had

humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. (2 Chronicles 33:22-23)

This reform continued with Manassehs grandson Josiah and was more thorough.


8/20

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after

the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and

Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten

images. And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that

were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the

molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the

graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. (2 Chronicles 34:3-4)

This reform led to the discovery of the book of the law that included the prophecies that Godspeople were now fulfilling. When the book was read to Josiah he recognised this fact and enquired after

the LORD concerning the words of the book that is found by sending Hikiah to Huldah the prophetess.

Through Huldah the Lord sent Josiah word that Jerusalem's ruin could not be

averted. Even should the people now humble themselves before God, they could not

escape their punishment. So long had their senses been deadened by wrongdoing that, if

judgment should not come upon them, they would soon return to the same sinful course.

"Tell the man that sent you to me," the prophetess declared, "Thus saith the Lord, Behold,

I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of

the book which the king of Judah hath read: because they have forsaken Me, and have

burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works

of their hands; therefore My wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be

quenched." Verses 15-17.

But because the king had humbled his heart before God, the Lord wouldacknowledge his promptness in seeking forgiveness and mercy. To him was sent the

message: "Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the

Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants

thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and

wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather

thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes

shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place." Verses 19, 20.

The king must leave with God the events of the future; he could not alter the

eternal decrees of Jehovah. But in announcing the retributive judgments of Heaven, the

Lord had not withdrawn opportunity for repentance and reformation; and Josiah,

discerning in this a willingness on the part of God to temper His judgments with mercy,

determined to do all in his power to bring about decided reforms. He arranged at once

for a great convocation, to which were invited the elders and magistrates in Jerusalem

and Judah, together with the common people. These, with the priests and Levites, met

the king in the court of the temple. Prophets and Kings, 399-400.

THE WILD BEASTS (PEOPLE &LAND)

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven

times more plagues upon you according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among

you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in

number; and your high ways shall be desolate. (Leviticus 26:21-22)

The second of the progressive destruction of the four seven times commences in the third year of

Jehoiakim, when Nebuchadnezzar carries the first Hebrew captives to Babylon. Thus begins the first

stage of the Babylonian captivity proper.

The language differs from that of the first seven times. Sign is absent. A literal translation of the


9/20

verse is, Then I will add unto you a wound seven for your sins. Though the first seven times is asign, this seven times is added untothe first. That is, they run back to back. For us it is an inescapable

conclusion that the first two seven times are a pair of sevens. We know that the captivity lasted seventy

years. It makes sense that the first period also lasted seventy years. Together the first two seven times

are 140 years.

THE SIEGE (CITY)

Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for

your sins. And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my

covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the

pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. And when I

have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and

they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

(Leviticus 26:24-26)

The third of the seven times describes the siege and captivity of Jehoiachin . First, some

background. In spite of Jeremiahs efforts in bringing a message of reform to the king, Jehoiakim

remains unrepentant. At the time of the first siege mentioned in Daniel 1:1, Jehoiakim anointed his son

Jehoiachin king at the age of eight, presumably to take his place should he be killed. When Jehoiakim

dies Jehoiachin is once again anointed as king and immediately rebels against Nebuchadnezzar. The

events connected with Jehoiachins rebellion and captivity are both well documented in the Babylonian

Chronicle and agree 100% with the biblical account. Jehoiachin immediately surrendered to

Nebuchadnezzar and was carried away to Babylon where he was imprisoned for 36 years. It is thisevent that fulfills the third seven times. Jehoiachins bread was delivered by weight and is recorded

in the Babylonian Chronicle.2

Of note, the third seven times does not contain the word more but another word, yet, replaces

it. This means that while the second seven times is still in progress, the third chastisement wil

commence. At this stage of the Babylonian captivity there is still room for repentance.

210 to the king of Judah, Yaukin; 2 1/2 sila to the offspring of Judahs king; 4 sila to eight men from Judea. Another reads, 1 1/2

sila for three carpenters from Arvad, 1/2 apiece; 11 1/2 sila for eight wood workers from Byblos. . .; 3 1/2 sila for seven Greek

craftsman, 1/2 sila apiece; 1/2 sila to the carpenter, Nabuetir; 10 sila to Ia-ku-u-ki-nu, the son of Judahs king; 2 1/2 sila for the five

sons of the Judean king.Babylonian Chronicle (grain ration tablet)


10/20

This seven times marks the commencement of three separate periods. There are 140 years fromJehoiachins captivity to the decree of Artaxerxes. Jehoiachin, himself, is held captive in Babylon for 36

years. There are 666 years from this event until the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD, 36

years after the close of probation for the Jewish nation. This also ties the prophecy of Leviticus 26 to

Deuteronomy 28, in the relationship between the siege of 597 BC by Babylon and the destruction of

Jerusalem by Rome, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:48-52 and Daniel 8:23-24.3

THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM (KINGSHIP,PEOPLE,CITY AND TEMPLE)The Destruction of Jerusalem completes the progressive destruction of four. In the fulfilment of

this event, there is now no opportunity for repentance, until the 70 years that began under the second

seven times is fulfilled. It is here that the basis for the length of the 70 years captivity is defined.

And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and

your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths,

as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest,

and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest inyour sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. (Leviticus 26:33-35)

This passage is quoted in 2Chronicles 36:21, To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of

Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to

fulfil threescore and ten years.

The Babylonian captivity is seventy years, because the period of transgression of the Sabbath rest

of the land was neglected for 490 years. The 70 years and the 490 years are based upon the sabbatical

and Jubilee cycles.

3This 666 connexion between the siege of Jerusalem in Leviticus 26 and that that is found in Deuteronomy 28 cannot be ignored. The

Babylonians considered 666 to be a mystical number. The number 6 (the number of man) when multiplied by itself is 36. The numbers

1+2+3+4+5+6+36 equal 666. The ancient Babylonians created talismans using what is known as a magic square, a square divided

into 36 squares numbered 1 to 36. These were ordered in such a fashion that each row of six squares would add up to 111, both

horizontally and vertically. The six rows across, added together, were 666. The prophecy found in Deuteronomy 28, which is fulfilled

in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, is referenced in the book of Daniel. The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far,

from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance,

which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young.... And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates And thou

shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters.Deuteronomy 28:49-53. And in the latter time of

their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand

up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and

shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.Daniel 8:23-24.


11/20

The events that marked in the fulfilment of the fourth seven times are the subject of many of the

prophets. One of the striking examples is that that is found in Ezekiel 4:4-7.4

Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it:

according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their

iniquity. For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of

the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house ofIsrael. And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt

bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a

year. Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall

be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it. (Ezekiel 4:4-7)

The eighteen-month siege that is here alluded to begins in January of 587 BC marks the end of the

390 years from Israels apostasy and the dividing of the kingdom of Israel The 40 years are marked

from the beginning of the failed reform of Josiah ending with the same siege. Among other things, these

chronological anchors help confirm the chronology of the period of the kings, which we will show later

that is deduced from the application of the 490 years of transgression of the sabbatical cycle. We

suggest that these chapters be studied in connexion with Leviticus 26. It will be seen that all the aspects

of the four seven times of Leviticus 26 are repeated in the events of the siege a nd final destruction of

Jerusalem under Nebuchadnezzar.

4The author has made a chart comparing Ezekiel 4-6 to the prophecy in Leviticus 26. This can be found in the paper, Why There is

not a 2520 Year Period of Continual Punishment for Literal Israel Found in Leviticus 26.


12/20

We have observed that from the destruction of temple to its rebuilding is also a period of 70 years

This fulfilment of the fourth seven times was understood to be a period of seventy years, prior to its

completion. The rebuilding commenced under the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah from the

second year of the reign of Darius to the completion of the temple in Darius sixth year. The angel who

comes to Zechariah in the second year of Darius refers to a period of the desolation of the temple as 70

years, even though 70 years had not yet been completed from the destruction of the temple. In the

eighth month, in the second year of Darius [November 15th, 520 BC], came the word of the LORD unto

Zechariah. Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not

have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation thesethreescore and ten years? (Zechariah 1:1, 12) This statement of the angel was made only 66 years and4 months after its destruction. Many assume that this is a reference to the 70 years of the Babylonian

captivity itself. However, when this is compared with a similar statement in chapter 7:5, it is seen that

this is a reference to the desolation of the sanctuary. The fasts of the fifth and seventh months are

commemorative of the destruction of the temple and the death of Gedaliah, respectively. And it came topass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day

of the ninth month, even in Chisleu [December 7th, 518 BC]. When ye fasted and mourned in the fifthand seventh month, even those [Heb. these5] seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? Since

the angel made this statement less than 68 years and 5 months after the temples destruction, thismeans that it was understood that the period was to be 70 years, even before it ended. What was the

basis for this knowledge? It could have been knowledge given to the angel by God but it is more likely

that this understanding was based upon the prophecy of Leviticus 26, since it was not being revealed as

a prophecy but as an accepted fact that the period was to be 70 years.6

5There is no distinction in the Hebrew between these and those, here and there, this and that, etc.6There are two options in sorting out the chronology of the rebuilding of the temple. The temple could have been finished in the end

of the Jewish year in either 516 BC or 515 BC. Since, either way, the period of desolation is 69 years and 7 months or 70 years and 7

months. However, we know the 515 BC date is the correct one, as it is the only one that accords with all of the facts. As a

simplification, I merely use the date 516 BC for the rebuilding of the temple. It is our understanding that Darius decree marks the

completion of the 70 years. This would have occurred in the summer of 516 BC and this would then mean that the temple was

completed on March 12, 515 BC, though, since is recorded in Ezra 6:15as being the on the third day of the month Adar (the 12th

month), it still falls in the Jewish year 516 BC.


13/20

CHRONOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONSHow do we place a biblical event in our calendar? When we say an event occurred in a particular

year, are we speaking of a Julian, Gregorian, Hebrew or some other year? There are some who try to

place all biblical events in the Hebrew calendar. However, there was more than one calendar used by

the Hebrews in biblical times. They counted the years from either from spring to spring (religious), fall

to fall (civil) or event to event. They also counted inclusively or full years.

The reigns of the kings of Judah, for instance, are counted as a running total. That is, when it says

that a king reigned 11 years, this could be more or less than eleven years and is not the number ofregnal years. Though many assume that the number of years listed refers to the number of regnal years

this can be demonstrated to be false, in that it causes irreconcilable contradictions. The reigns of the

kings of Judah ran spring to spring, at least, to the end of Hezekiahs reign. From Amon or Manasseh on

they ran fall to fall. The kings of Israels reigns always ran fall to fall. This is the opposite of what

modern chronologists assume. Jehoiakim and Zedekiah both have reigns listed as being 11 years in

length. Jehoiakim reigned 11 years and 3 months; Zedekiah reigned 11 years and five months. However

Jehoiakim died in the beginning of his 12th regnal year while Zedekiah died in his 11th regnal year. If

the Bible writers had given 12 years for the reign of Jehoiakim, the running tally would have been off by

one year. In using the biblical synchronisms supplied by the Bible writers, we can create a chronology o

the kings of Judah and Israel that has no contradictions within the biblical text. We merely need to

understand the system used.

THE PERIODS OF 490YEARSWe cannot address all of the details here but we can look at how the captivity of Judah must fall

within our calendar. Another detail that ties these chronologies together is the three periods of 490

years. Earlier, we saw that 1097 BC marks the beginning of the 490 years of transgression of the

sabbatical cycle that is the basis for the length of the 70 years rest of the land fulfilled in the Babylonian

captivity. If we count the 84 years from Sauls anointing to the laying of the foundation of Solomons

temple, we can then know that the first temple was completed in 1006. That is, they began laying the

foundation of Solomons templein the fourth year of his reign commencing with the second month and

the finished building in the eleventh year of his reign in the eighth month. This means that it took seven

years and six months to build Solomons temple. More than that, we can see that there are 420 yearsthat intervene between the temples completion to its subsequent destruction.An additional 70 yearsare allotted for its desolation. This means that there are 490 years between the building of the first and

second temple.

That this same pattern exist with the period of the kingship (420 years from Saul to Manasseh and

490 from Saul to the captivity) makes this more significant. These two periods of 490 years, are the

pattern that is the basis for the 490 years of Daniel 9. Leviticus 26 is the prophecy that is fulfilled in the

captivity of Judah; the prophecies of Daniel address the ending of the captivity.


14/20

THE PROPHECY OF EZEKIEL 4CONSIDEREDWe have already looked at this. We take the position that the 390 years span backwards from the

beginning of the 18-month siege that preceded the destruction of Jerusalem and the Solomons templein 586 BC to the dividing of the kingdom of Israel. The siege of Jerusalem began on January 6th of 587

BC. This brings us to the beginning of 977 BC for the dividing of the kingdom to occur. The forty years

goes back to the commencement of Josiahs reforms in the 12 th year of his reign. This chronology

accords perfectly with the chronology of the kings of Judah and Israel.7This means that 40 years span

from 627 BC to 587 BC. Josiahs reforms began in late 628 BC, prior to the start of 627 BC but still in the

Jewish year 627 BC. The point being, these periods are not exact as to the day but are periods that are

close enough to be 390 and 40 years. When we are placing these dates into our calendar, they may

appear to be off by a year, while they are correct according to Jewish reckoning. We can be only as

accurate as our tools and information will allow.

THE 65YEAR PROPHECY (742BC)This date is not supported by the majority of modern scholarship but is clearly supported by the

biblical chronology. Instead of making the Bible fit a supposed Assyrian chronology, which is a

reconstruction that is unreliable, it is preferable to accept the Bible record. The assumptions of Thiele

destroy the biblical chronology and are tenuous, at best, in solving the problems of Assyrian

chronology. Most of these innovations of Thieles have been rejected, due to the many inconsistenciesand conflicts created in the biblical text, in spite of the fact that his dates are still used.

THE CAPTIVITY OF HOSHEA (723BC)Hosheas captivity occurs two years before the destruction of Samaria. This is plainly stated in the

Bible but is rejected by most scholars. We know from the Assyrian records that Samaria fell in 721 BC

This date is confirmed by a lunar eclipse that is recorded in the first year of Sargon II on the night of

March 19.8The siege lasted two years and Samaria fell in Nisan of 721 BC. This establishes that fact that

7The author has worked this out in detail and will be published in two separate volumes sometime in 2016. One is called A Do-It-

Yourself Guide to Biblical Chronologyand the other is calledBiblical Chronology and the Prophetic Periods. The former volume will

provide the lay reader tools needed to work it out the chronology of the Bible on his own. The latter volume will deal with the

chronology of the prophetic periods starting from the 1097 BC.8In that year the Assyrian year began one month earlier (March 5) than the Jewish year (April 6).


15/20

the seven timesfor Israel begins when the pride of their power is broken and not when the city fell.Ephraim experienced the four seven times in the same order as Judah but they occurred in rapid

succession. Northern Israel was scattered, never to be gathered as literal Israel. However, the end of this

period marks the rise of the spiritual counterpart of the two-horned false prophet, in the form of

Protestant America.

THE CAPTIVITY OF MANASSEH (677BC)There is nothing more certain than that Manasseh was carried away to Babylon by Esarhaddon in

677. We have Esarhaddons own records of this event, in Prism B .9 Esarhaddon, after rebuilding

Babylon, sends out his captains to bring 22 kings to Babylon to view his handy-work and demonstrate

his power. He then sends them out to Nineveh to haul timbers for work on Esarhaddons construction

projects in that city. It would have been during this time that Manasseh experienced his conversion as

recorded in 2Chronicles 33:12-13, And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and

humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of

him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh

knew that the LORD he was God.

THE DEATH OF JOSIAH AND THE FALL OFASSYRIA (OCTOBER 609BC)

We can mark these events with great certainty and accuracy. We know that Josiah died in late Mayor early June of 609 BC. We have the Babylonian Chronicles account of the battle, in which Josiah diesas beginning in May. Josiah died at the beginning of that war. The Chronicle gives an account of the fall

of Assyria in October of 609 BC. This then also marks the rise of Babylon, as it is the empire that follows

Assyria.

THE THREE-MONTH REIGN OF JEHOAHAZ (MAY/JUNE TOAUGUST/SEPTEMBER 609BC)We can then mark the 3 months that Jehoahaz reigned as being from May/June to no later than

early September (and most likely ending in August).

THE THIRD YEAR OF JEHOIAKIM (FALL 607TO FALL 606BC)

Based upon a fall-to-fall reign for Jehoiakim, Jehoiakims reign during his accession year was nomore than a month or so. Since the civil year (from which his reign is counted) fell on September 21st in

that year, his first regnal year would be reckoned from September 21st, 609 BC. This would mean that

Jehoiakimsthird year began in the fall of 607 and ended in the fall of 606 BC. Daniels captivity, and the

commencement of the 70 years, would have begun sometime during this year, according to Daniel 1:1.

JEHOIACHIN ANOINTED KING(607BC)2Chronicles 36:9 tells us that, Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign and that he

reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. We are also told in 2Kings 24:8 that Jehoiachin was

eighteen years old when he began to reign and that he reigned in Jerusalem three months. The

discrepancy here is apparent. Why would Jehoiachin be anointed as king when he was only eight years

old? One solution is that his father anointed him king during the siege recorded in Daniel 1:1 in the

9I compelled the kings of the country Hatti and (of the region) on the other side of the riser (Euphrates) (to wit): Ba'lu. king of Tyre,

Manasseh (Me-na-si-i), king of Judah (Ia-u-di) Qaushgabri, king of Edom, Musuri, king of Moab, Sil-Bel, king of Gaza, Metinti, king

of Ashekelon, Ikausu, king of Ekron, Milkiashapa, king of Byblos. Matanba'al, king of Arvad. Abiba'al, king of Samsimuruna, Puduil,

king of Beth-Ammon, Ahimilki, king of Ashdod - 12 kings from the seacoast...10 kings from Cyprus (Iadnana) amidst the sea.

together 22 kings of Hatti, the seashore and the islands; all these I sent out [from Babylon?] and made them transport under terrible

difficulties, to Nineveh. the town (where I exercise) my rulership, as building material for my palace: big logs, long beams (and) thin

boards from cedar and pine trees, products of the Sirara and Lebanon (Lab-na-na) mountains, which had grown for a long time into

tall and strong timber, (also) from their quarries (lit.: place of creation) in the mountains, statues of protective deities (lit.: of Lamassu

and Shedu)...Prism B v(ANET 291)


16/20

event of his death. He was anointed a second time on December 9th (Kislev 23) 598 BC and reigned

until March 16th of 597 BC (three months and ten days). Simply put, the only way that He could have

been 18 years old in December of 598 is if his birthday fell sometime between September 29th (one day

after Tishri 1) and December 17th (one day before Kislev 23). The solution that is not acceptable is the

proposition that this is a typo in the Bible. For one thing, God has promised to preserve His Word.

The fact that the solution to this apparent contradiction yields a date for the captivity that other

sources already attest to is evidence that God placed this puzzle in the Bible for a reason. We shouldconsider all new evidence, even if at first glance it does not fit with our preconceived opinions or

positions that we have taken.

THE FOURTH YEAR OF JEHOIAKIM (FALL 606TO FALL 605)It was in this year (Jehoiakims fourth), according to Jeremiah 46:2, that the battle of Carchemish

ensued. During this battle, Nebuchadnezzar received news that his father had died (August 15). After

the defeat of Pharaoh Necho, he returned (sometime after September 8) to Babylon to take his throne.

These events are well documented. The only apparent discrepancy is the biblical reference in Jeremiah

25:1 that refers to the fourth year of Jehoiakim as being the first year of Nebuchadnezzar. Technically, it

was his accession year. There is no way to have the battle of Carchemish occur in both the fourth year o

Jehoiakim and the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, unless we take the first year to mean the first year from

when he began to reign, ie. his accession year.


17/20

Even if we were to make Jehoiakims reign run spring to spring, as some suppose, this still wouldnot solve the problem. Nebuchadnezzars first full year would simply be Jehoiakims fifth year. Some

have tried various solutions but these create other contradictions.

THE CAPTIVITY OF JEHOIACHIN (MARCH 16,597BC)There is almost unanimous agreement upon this date. There are so many synchronisms that come

from Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the other prophets, they are too numerous to deal with here. As mentioned

earlier, this date ties together several periods.

THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM (JANUARY 6,587BC)There are divided opinions regarding this date. Some have tried to place the siege one year earlier

There are some good arguments that can be used on both sides. However, we cannot reconcile all of the

dates in Ezekiel, and Jeremiah with an earlier date. This would push the dividing of the kingdom of

Israel to 1098 BC, as well. Though it could be reconciled with Josiahs reforms,in our chronology there

is room.

THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM (JULY 19,586BC)This occurred on the ninth day of the fourth Jewish month. Ezekiel 40:1 gives us a synchronism

that helps us place this event as occurring in 586, rather than 587. In the five and twentieth year ofour captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that

the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. I

we count Ezekiels captivity as occurring at the same time as Jehoiachins, we need merely to subtract14 years from 25 years to find the span between the two events, which yields 11 years. If Ezekiel was

taken captive in 597, Jerusalem was destroyed 11 years later in 586 BC.

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE (AUGUST 16-19,586BC)On the seventh day of the fifth month (answering to Thursday, Aug. 16) Nebuzar-adan made his

entry into the city, having spent two days in making provision, on the tenth day of the same month

(Sunday, August 27). He set fire to the temple, the kings palace and the houses of the nobility, burning

them to the ground (Jeremiah 52:13 as compared with 39:8). Thus, the temple was destroyed in theeleventh year of Zedekiah, the nineteenth of Nebuchadnezzar, four hundred and twenty years from the

completion in 1006 BC. The Jews fasted in the fifth month in commemoration of this event for 70 years

according to Zechariah 7:5.

THE DEATH OF GEDALIAH (OCTOBER,586BC)According to 2Kings 25:25, one named Ishmael killed Gedaliah, the governor of Judah, in the

seventh Jewish month. The Jews commemorated this event with an annual fast for a period of seventy

years, according to Zechariah 7:5.

JEHOIACHINS CAPTIVITY ENDS (APRIL 3,561BC)Since Jehoiachin was taken captive on March 16, 597 BC. His captivity lasted for 36 years. He was

released in the 37th year of his captivity by Evil-Merdoch, after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, according

to 2Kings 25:27.

THE FALL OF BABYLON (OCTOBER 13,539BC)We do not think that there is anything more certain than the fact that Babylon fell in October of

539 BC. First, it fulfills the Prophecy of Jeremiah 25 quite literally.

And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations

shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy


18/20

years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the

LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual

desolations. And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced

against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against

all the nations. For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also:

and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their

own hands. (Jeremiah 25:11-14)

If the seventy years here referred to are merely the seventy years of the captivity, then the captivitymust have ended when Babylon fell. Since the captivity began in the fall of 607, the captivity would only

have been 68 years in 539 BC. The Jews would not have returned to the land of Israel until the fall of

536 BC at the earliest, using this chronology. This would accord with a 606 BC captivity date but would

have to answer all of the other reasoning for 607 as the commencement of the captivity. The simplest

solution is to accept the overwhelming evidence that Babylon fell in October of 539 BC10 and that

Jeremiah is referring to the period from the fall of Assyria to the fall of Babylon as being 70 years. It is

true that we sometimes conflate these two periods, as they are connected.

CYRUSACCESSION TO THE THRONE OF PERSIA (537BC)Sister White clearly marks this as the point where the 70 years captivity is complete,

Upon his death, within about two years of the fall of Babylon, Cyrus succeeded to

the throne, and the beginning of his reign marked the completion of the seventy

yearssince the first company of Hebrews had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar from their

Judean home to Babylon. Prophets and Kings, 551-556.

What we do not know is exactly when this occurred. Sister White here says, within about two

years. We also have this quote that places the decree of Cyrus about two years after Babylon fell.

The seventy years' captivity dated from the time when the Babylonian kingsbegan to hold universal sway. God gave Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, much

"majesty, and glory, and honor." "All people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared

before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he

would he set up; and whom he would he put down."

10In the month ofTartu,when Cyrus attacked the army of Akkad inOpison the Tigris, the inhabitants of Akkad revolted, but he [Cyrus]massacred the inhabitants. The fifteenth day [October12th], Sippar was seized without battle. Nabonidus fled. The sixteenth day [October

13th], Gobryas[litt:Ugbaru], the governor ofGutium,and the army of Cyrus entered Babylon without battle. Afterwards, Nabonidus was

arrested in Babylon when he returned there. Till the end of the month, the shield carrying Gutians were staying within Esagila but nobody

carried arms in Esagila and its buildings. The correct time for a ceremony was not missed.Nabonidus Chronicle
http://www.livius.org/caa-can/calendar/calendar_babylonian.html#Tashrituhttp://www.livius.org/caa-can/calendar/calendar_babylonian.html#Tashrituhttp://www.livius.org/caa-can/calendar/calendar_babylonian.html#Tashrituhttp://www.livius.org/on-oz/opis/opis.htmhttp://www.livius.org/on-oz/opis/opis.htmhttp://www.livius.org/on-oz/opis/opis.htmhttp://www.livius.org/gi-gr/gobryas/gobryas_1.htmlhttp://www.livius.org/gi-gr/gobryas/gobryas_1.htmlhttp://www.livius.org/gi-gr/gobryas/gobryas_1.htmlhttp://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/reading2.html#Gutiumhttp://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/reading2.html#Gutiumhttp://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/reading2.html#Gutiumhttp://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/reading2.html#Gutiumhttp://www.livius.org/gi-gr/gobryas/gobryas_1.htmlhttp://www.livius.org/on-oz/opis/opis.htmhttp://www.livius.org/caa-can/calendar/calendar_babylonian.html#Tashritu


19/20

This same universal sway was exercised by Nebuchadnezzar's descendants until,nearly seventy years later, in the days of Belshazzar, because of the wickedness of the

nation, the kingdom was "divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." Thus arose the

second universal monarchy, Medo-Persia.

It was only about two years afterward that Cyrus, king of Medo-Persia, issuedthe remarkable decree providing for the restoration of all the Israelites, "the

children of the captivity," to their home in the land of Canaan . Review and Herald,

January 23, 1908.

We would have to conclude that the decree followed the accession of Cyrus by a few months, since

the decree happened about two years after the fall of Babylon. We also see that there is a distinction

between the 70 years of Babylon and that of the captivity, though a careless reader would miss it. The

70 year captivity dates from the time when Babylon began to hold universal sway (a clear reference to

Jeremiah 25:14); not from the point where Babylon begins. That is, this period, the beginning of the

captivity to the end of Babylon, is less than 70 years (ie. 68 years).

THE EXILES RETURN (536BC)Further, the Israelites did return in early 536 BC after Cyrus decree was enacted. They did so

carrying the vessels that Nebuchadnezzar removed from the temple in the third year of Jehoiakim inearly 606 BC. This clearly marks a 70 year captivity for the vessels.

THE DECREE FOR THE REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE (536BC)Isaiah prophesies that it would be Cyrus who would decree that the foundation of the temple be

laid. That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to

Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isaiah 44:28) Its

fulfilment is recorded in 2Chronicles.

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by

the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus

king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also inwriting, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the

LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in

Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his

God be with him, and let him go up. (2Chronicles 36:22-23)

The first year of Cyrus spans from the spring of 536 to spring of 535 BC. The Israelites would have

travelled to Jerusalem in the spring of 536; we know that they arrived before the seventh month and

celebrated the feast of tabernacles that fall, according to Ezra 3:1.

THE TEMPLE FOUNDATION LAID (MAY 535BC)In the second month of the Jewish year 535 they began to lay the foundation of the temple under

the leadership of Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel. This work gradually ceased, coming to a

complete stop under the reign of Bardiya (False Smerdis)11in 522 BC.

THE REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE (520515BC)Under the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah, the rebuilding of the temple resumes. Many

commentators assume that the decree of Darius occurs in the second year of his reign. We can see in the

11During the reign of Cambyses the work on the temple progressed slowly. And during the reign of the false Smerdis (called

Artaxerxes in Ezra 4:7) the Samaritans induced the unscrupulous impostor to issue a decree forbidding the Jews to rebuild their temple

and city.Prophets and Kings,572.


20/20

chart below that the decree happens in 516 BC.

The chronology is clearly marked. Sister White also tells us that Darius decree happens more than20 years after Cyrus. A score [20] or more of years passed by, when a second decree, quite as favorableas the first, was issued by Darius Hystaspes, the monarch then ruling. Further Sister White marks the

point from the return to the second decree as nearly twenty years and the distance between the twodecrees as over twenty years.

Nearly twenty years passed by. Many of the remnant who returned to Judea, hadfallen into a backslidden condition, and were doing no more to restore the house of God

than were their brethren living elsewhere in the Medo-Persian realm. But as the result

of the appeals of Haggai and Zechariah, the returned exiles repented before God,

and labored diligently to complete the temple. The Lord blessed them, and they were

greatly prospered. Their efforts were brought to the notice of Darius Hystaspes, whowas the monarch ruling at that time; and he was impressed to issue a second decree,

fully as favorable as the one issued by Cyrus over twenty years before. Review and

Herald, January 23, 1908.

FURTHER STUDY ON CHRONOLOGY NEEDEDThe dates 1097, 742, 723, 677, 607, 597, 586, 539, 537, 516, 457, etc. are all interconnected. An

understanding of these dates helps gives us a more solid footing upon which to base the

commencement of the 70 weeks and the 2300 days. If we try to move one of these dates, the whole

structure fails. Further, in an understanding of the prophetic periods, the biblical chronology holds

together with no contradictions. Any real problem lies in us and in our understanding. Some may feel

that they have a sufficient understanding of the dates connected with the prophetic periods and that no

further study is needed. Yet, if we cannot defend our chronology, how can we expect others to accept

the other aspects of our message? The Adventist pioneers worked hard to have a factual basis to their

message. They sought to find the truth. They did not hold on to long held assumptions, if they did not

accord with the facts before them. They progressed in their understanding as the LORD led. There may

be things we do not yet understand. Biblical chronology gives us a greater understanding of the truths

of Gods Word.

the chronology of the babylonian captivity

Documents