Community Bible Study -- Isaiah

Photos for Final Session, "Isaiah, the Rest of the Story"
The Babylonian Captivity -- From Hezekiah to Nehemiah

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As prophesied by Isaiah, the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem (~606 BC), and carried the Jews as captives to Babylon (~606-585 BC). Below Left: Babylonian tablet recording conquest of Jerusalem (British Museum). Below Center: Ishtar Gate in Babylon (Pergamon Museum, Berlin), containing an inscription (Below Right) by Nebuchadnezzar, Babylonian king who conquered Jerusalem.

As also prophesied by Isaiah, Babylon was conquered by Cyrus of Persia, who allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem. But after Cyrus, the Jews were persecuted in Jerusalem -- and were nearly exterminated in Babylon (except for Queen Esther, a Jew). Below Left: "Cyrus Cylinder," a Persian artifact recording the Jewish return to Jerusalem (British Museum). Below Right: Column from throne room of King Xerxes and Queen Esther (British Museum).

Nehemiah, a Jew, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, returns as Persian governor of Jerusalem to rebuild the wall so the Jews there can live in peace and safety. Below Left: Drinking cup/saucer of Artaxerxes, which Nehemiah may have held (British Museum). Below Right: Remnant of Nehemiah's Wall, Jerusalem.