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Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

The year was 587 B.C.E.

The city walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins.

We barely have context and understanding for what that meant in the ancient world.

The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar II laid seize to Jerusalem. The battle began in 587 B.C.E. and by 586 B.C.E. the city walls were destroyed.

Zedekiah was the last King of Judah. The city was completely destroyed and with the destruction of the city walls the way of life in Judah and in Israel ended. It came in stages.

The brightest and best from the northern kingdom were taken into captivity by the Neo-Assyrian Empire . The Temple was destroyed and the city was burned.

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel were along those captured and taken from their homeland by King Nebuchadnezzar’s men. They were taken to Babylon.

After the Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon in 538 B.C. the captives from Israel/Judah were allowed to return home. The Jewish people were in exile for 70 years.