Judah Remains…
Eventually, the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed and only the kingdom of Judah remained standing. Thus, Israelites came to be known as Jews and their religion, Judaism.
For the next 200 years, upheaval defined Israel and Judah. Disaster took over as the two kingdoms lost their independence to an outside presence.
Loss of Independence
In 738 BCE, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah began paying tribute to Assyria. By paying tribute, it was the hope that the mighty Assyrian empire would not attack. In 725 BCE, Israel withheld tribute and was destroyed by the Assyrians. The destruction of Judah came shortly after at the hands of the Babylonians. Solomon’s temple was also destroyed in the Babylonian victory and many Jews were forced into exile.
Eventually, the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed and only the kingdom of Judah remained standing. Thus, Israelites came to be known as Jews and their religion, Judaism.
For the next 200 years, upheaval defined Israel and Judah. Disaster took over as the two kingdoms lost their independence to an outside presence.
Loss of Independence
In 738 BCE, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah began paying tribute to Assyria. By paying tribute, it was the hope that the mighty Assyrian empire would not attack. In 725 BCE, Israel withheld tribute and was destroyed by the Assyrians. The destruction of Judah came shortly after at the hands of the Babylonians. Solomon’s temple was also destroyed in the Babylonian victory and many Jews were forced into exile.
Change of Fate…while it lasted
50 years after the fall of Judah, the Persian King Cyrus the Great took over Babylon. The following year he allowed 40,000 exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Work was completed in 515 BCE. Soon, however, new empires came to dominate the region and control the destiny of the Jewish people.
50 years after the fall of Judah, the Persian King Cyrus the Great took over Babylon. The following year he allowed 40,000 exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Work was completed in 515 BCE. Soon, however, new empires came to dominate the region and control the destiny of the Jewish people.