Josephus’s account of the exiles from Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E

The ancient Jewish historian Josephus lived during the 1st century, born circa 37 CE and died circa 100 CE. He recorded what where most likely the historical views of the Jews as well as the Jews who were part of the newly formed Christian congregation.

Now in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, one whose name was Nebuchadnezzar took the government over the Babylonians [Jeremiah 25:1], who at the same time went up with a great army to the city Carchemish, which was at Euphrates, upon a resolution he had taken to fight with Neco king of Egypt, under whom all Syria then was. And when Neco understood the intention of the king of Babylon, and that this expedition was made against him, he did not despise his attempt, but made haste with a great band of men to Euphrates to defend himself from Nebuchadnezzar; and when they had joined battle, he was beaten, and lost many ten thousands [of his soldiers] in the battle.

So the king of Babylon passed over Euphrates, and took all Syria, as far as Pelusium, excepting Judea. But when Nebuchadnezzar had already reigned four years, which was the eighth of Jehoiakim’s government over the Hebrews, the king of Babylon made an expedition with mighty forces against the Jews, and required tribute of Jehoiakim [2 Kings 24:1], and threatened upon his refusal to make war against him. He was frighted at his threatening, and bought his peace with money, and brought the tribute he was ordered to bring for three years.

But on the third year, upon hearing that the king of the Babylonians made an expedition against the Egyptians, he did not pay his tribute [2 Kings 24:1; Daniel 1:1]; yet was he disappointed of his hope, for the Egyptians durst not fight at this time.

And indeed the prophet Jeremiah foretold every day, how vainly they relied on their hopes from Egypt, and how the city would be overthrown by the king of Babylon, and Jehoiakim the king would be subdued by him. But what he thus spake proved to be of no advantage to them, because there were none that should escape; for both the multitude and the rulers, when they heard him, had no concern about what they heard; but being displeased at what was said, as if the prophet were a diviner against the king, they accused Jeremiah, and bringing him before the court, they required that a sentence and a punishment might be given against him.

Now all the rest gave their votes for his condemnation, but the elders refused, who prudently sent away the prophet from the court of [the prison], and persuaded the rest to do Jeremiah no harm; for they said that he was not the only person who foretold what would come to the city, but that Micah signified the same before him, as well as many others, none of which suffered any thing of the kings that then reigned, but were honored as the prophets of God. So they mollified the multitude with these words, and delivered Jeremiah from the punishment to which he was condemned.

 Now when this prophet had written all his prophecies, and the people were fasting, and assembled at the temple, on the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim, he read the book he had composed of his predictions of what was to befall the city, and the temple, and the multitude. And when the rulers heard of it, they took the book from him, and bid him and Baruch the scribe to go their ways, lest they should be discovered by one or other; but they carried the book, and gave it to the king; so he gave order, in the presence of his friends, that his scribe should take it, and read it.

When the king heard what it contained, he was angry, and tore it, and cast it into the fire, where it was consumed.He also commanded that they should seek for Jeremiah, and Baruch the scribe, and bring them to him, that they might be punished. However, they escaped his anger.

Now, a little time afterwards, the king of Babylon made an expedition against Jehoiakim, whom he received [into the city], and this out of fear of the foregoing predictions of this prophet, as supposing he should suffer nothing that was terrible, because he neither shut the gates, nor fought against him; yet when he was come into the city, he did not observe the covenants he had made, but he slew such as were in the flower of their age, and such as were of the greatest dignity, together with their king Jehoiakim, whom he commanded to be thrown before the walls, without any burial; and made his son Jehoiachin king of the country, and of the city: he also took the principal persons in dignity for captives, three thousand in number, and led them away to Babylon; among which was the prophet Ezekiel, who was then but young.

And this was the end of king Jehoiakim, when he had lived thirty-six years, and of them reigned eleven. But Jehoiachin succeeded him in the kingdom, whose mother’s name was Nehushta; she was a citizen of Jerusalem. He reigned three months and ten days.

But a terror seized on the king of Babylon, who had given the kingdom to Jehoiachin, and that immediately; he was afraid that he should bear him a grudge, because of his killing his father, and thereupon should make the country revolt from him; wherefore he sent an army, and besieged Jehoiachin in Jerusalem; but because he was of a gentle and just disposition, he did not desire to see the city endangered on his account, but he took his mother and kindred, and delivered them to the commanders sent by the king of Babylon, and accepted of their oaths, that neither should they suffer any harm, nor the city; which agreement they did not observe for a single year, for the king of Babylon did not keep it, but gave orders to his generals to take all that were in the city captives, both the youth and the handicraftsmen, and bring them bound to him; their number was ten thousand eight hundred and thirty-two [2 Kings 24:14]; as also Jehoiachin, and his mother and friends. And when these were brought to him, he kept them in custody, and appointed Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah, to be king; and made him take an oath, that he would certainly keep the kingdom for him, and make no innovation, nor have any league of friendship with the Egyptians.

The Bible agrees on the order of events. Here are the same order of events in the Bible: First, it tells us “In [Jehoiakim's] days Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon came up, and so Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. However, he turned back and rebelled against him.” (2 Kings 24:1)

 According to Josephus, Babylon forced Judah to become a vassal King during the eighth year of Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah – not the third. Jeremiah agrees, stating that all was well during his fourth and fifth years and the King was unafraid of any Babylonian attack. Further, it contradicts the idea that exiles had been taken. Jeremiah also mysteriously forgets to list any exiles from that year (because it didn't happen).

Other parts of the Bible tell us what the Babylonian King did to this rebel. “Against him Nebuchadnezzar’s the king of Babylon came up that he might bind him with two fetters of copper to carry him off to Babylon. And some of the utensils of the house of Jehovah Nebuchadnezzar’s brought to Babylon and then put them in his palace in Babylon.” (2 Chronicles 36:6-7)

 Yes, because of Jehoiakim’s rebellion, the Babylonian army came up and took “some” of the temple utensils. Evidentially, the fetters were never used, for Jehoiakim was killed, as Daniel confirms: “Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and proceeded to lay siege to it. In time Jehovah gave into his hand Jehoiakim the king of Judah and a part of the utensils of the house of the true God, so that he brought them to the land of Shinar to the house of his god”. (Daniel 1:1-2)

 Yes, Jehovah “gave into his hand” the rebel Judean King, killing him, and he took “a part” of the temple utensils away. This is what Josephus confirms.

What happens next? “Jehoiachin his son began to reign in place of him... and for three months and ten days he reigned in Jerusalem”. Why such a short reign? Because, “at the return of the year King Nebuchadnezzar sent and proceeded to bring him to Babylon with desirable articles of the house of Jehovah.” (2 Chronicles 36:8, 10)

In fact, the Bible confirms that Jehoiachin surrendered. “Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he with his mother and his servants and his princes and his court officials; and the king of Babylon got to take him.” Earlier when they killed his father, they only took “some” of the temple utensils, but now the Babylonians take “all” the gold temple utensils and “all” the treasures of the house back with them to Babylon. “Then he brought out from there all the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king’s house, and went on to cut to pieces all the gold utensils that Solomon the king of Israel had made”. (2 Kings 24:12-15)

After this, King Nebuchadnezzar leaves Zedekiah on the throne of Judah. Again, all this lines up with Josephus.

So within the same year, two lots of exiles are taken. First, when Jehoiakim is killed 3,000 dignitaries are taken, then a few short months later “at the return of the year” Nebuchadnezzar comes back and Jehoiachin is taken away along with 10,000 more exiles.

Jeremiah lists all dignitaries taken, and tells us that the 3,000 were taken during Nebuchadnezzar’s seventh full year (or eighth year of rule): “These are the people whom Nebuchadrezzar took into exile: in the seventh year, three thousand and twenty-three Jews.” This is not the exile that occurred at the end of Jehoiachin’s 3-month reign, when 10,000 were taken. No, this is the exile that took place after his father, Jehoiakim, was killed – the first exile when 3,000 are taken. Why doesn't Jeremiah say the 3,000 were taken during Nebuchadnezzar’s 1st year, as some claim? Because there were no exiles taken in that year.

As Jeremiah says, the 3,000 were taken after Jehoiakim was killed. He plainly says this was in Nebuchadnezzar’s 7th full year of rule, or 8th year as King – not his 1st year. If the 1st century Jews and their most widely-respected historian didn't believe in the fictional exile during Jehoiakim’s 3rd year, as Christendom try to teach today, then the 1st century Christian congregation probably didn't believe in it either. That’s because it never happened. Josephus, the Bible, and the ancient Jewish population are correct.