THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BABYLONIAN EXILE

Michaelangelo's "Jeremiah"

TRANSITION FROM ISRAELITE RELIGION TO JUDAISM

1. Historical context:

   • Geographical, political location

   • Fall of Northern Kingdom - 722 b.c.e. - Assyrians

   • The ten tribes taken into captivity. Disappear from history

   • Sanctuary at Shiloh .

   • Southern kingdom of Judah (and Benjamin) survive

   • Importance of Solomon's Temple as focal point of worship and

     sacrifice

   • Political unrest - The Babylonian Empire

   ---

2. Southern Kingdom: Religious and Cultural Environment

   • Temple prophets prophesy all will be well

   • Jeremiah's prophetic activity - 627 to 582 b.c.e. - approximately 45

     years

   • Jeremiah prophesies catastrophe - cf Jeremiah: Chapters 1-3. 7-8,

     18-20, 26-29. 30-31

   • Chap. 7:1-12 and Chaps. 26, 28, 29.

   • Judah taken into captivity - 586 b.c.e. - destruction of Temple

   • Duration of Captivity - approximately 50 years

KEY TO SURVIVAL MECHANISM:

• Texts indicate an established ritual and temple structure.

• Discussion of law and religious practice in Chapt. 26.

• Establishment of community in Babylon.

  1. Essential definition of the nation -

  2. Separation from outside influences - monotheism v pluralism

  3. Problems of Inter-marriage - offspring

William Blake: Nebuchadnezzar grazing