Southern part and Babylonian
Babylonian rule over the southern part of Israel (the Kingdom of Judah) lasted for approximately
48 to 50 years. Key details regarding this period include:
- Start of Rule: The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, established dominance after destroying Jerusalem and the First Temple in 587/586 BCE.
- End of Rule: The Babylonian Empire fell to Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BCE, ending their control over the region.
- Vassalage Period: Before the total destruction of Jerusalem, Judah was a vassal state, with the first major deportation of inhabitants occurring earlier in 597 BCE.
- Context: This era is often associated with the 70-year "prophetic" period of exile mentioned in the Bible (Jeremiah 25:11-12), which covers the duration of Babylon's supremacy over the region (roughly 609–539 BCE), rather than the exact length of the physical desolation of the land.