Jewish History Test 1 Review

* school test review jewishstudies
[2025-11-06 Thu]

1. BACKGROUND

The test will be broken down into 3 sections:

  1. Multiple Choice
  2. Two Quotes from Sources
  3. One long answer question(paragraph)

Secondary sources will be used to Corroborate information.

2. 597 BCE

When King Jehoiakim of Judah stopped paying tribute to Babylon, leading to Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem in 597 BCE. During this initial uprising, King Nebuchadnezzar captured the city, exiled King Jehoiachin along with 10,000 officers, craftsmen, and 7,000 soldiers, and appointed Matania-Zedekiah as the new kin. (see: The first revolt began around 601 BCE)

3. 586 BCE

Zedekiah launched a second rebellion in 586 BCE, pushed by the zealots. This final uprising proved catastrophic - after an 18-month siege, the Babylonians breached Jerusalem's walls, captured Zedekiah near Jericho, and brutally punished him by executing his sons before blinding him . On the seventh day of Av, Nebuzaradan, commander of King Nebuchadnezzarr's guard, systematically destroyed Solomon's Temple, burned down Jerusalem, and Exile of Jews From Babylon, effectively ending the Kingdom of Judah (see: The second revolt against the babylonians)

4. 582 BCE

Gedaliah was appointed as governor over the province after the first temple was destroyed. The jews resented him for not being born of the davidic line, so he was assasinated. This year marked the beggining of the full babylonian exiles. (see: Gedaliah was appointed as governor over the province after the first temple was destroyed)

5. Jeremiah 52:1-30 on the Destruction of Judah and the Temple(pp. 6-7)

Jeremiah oreducted that god would cause the destruction of judah because were being unfaithful. In his prophecy, he covered the siege of jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, zedekiahs punishment, and the Full Babylonian exile.

(see: Jeremiah, textbook pages 6-7, The second revolt against the babylonians)

6. Jeremiah 29:1-14 – Leter to the exiles(pp. 14-15)

Jeremiah instructed the jews to integrate into babylonian society and pray for the peace of their hosts, but also reminds them not to forget their culture. He warned them about false prophets and advised them not to rebel. He predicts their return in 70 years. (see: Jeremiahs letter to the exiles, The Jewish Return to Zion, textbook pages 14-15)

7. Babylonian Chronicles (pp. 10-11)

The babylonian chronicles, specficically the Jerusalem Chronicle, which concerned the early years of King Nebuchadnezzar, was used to corroborate Jeremiah's predicton. It covered Nebuchadnezzar's appointment of Zedekiah, the capture of jerusalem on 597 BCE. The chronicles were clay tablets inscribed with babylonian history written in cuneiform. (see: Babylonian chronicles,Jerusalem Chronicle. 601 BCE)

8. Psalm 137 – By the Rivers of Babylon (p. 12)

The psalm can be traced back to the Full Babylonian exile in 582 BCE. It commemorated the temple inside in jerusalem. It was writtenin in a mourning tone and symbolized the jewish desire to return to Israel. (see: The song commemorated the temple, Psalm 137, Full Babylonian exile)

9. Ezekiel 37:1-14 – Prophecy of Dry Bones (pp. 17-18)

The prophecy of the dry bones predicted the spiritual and national revival of the jewish nation. The dry bones symbolized the exiled and spiritually disconnected Jewish people in Babylon. Through this vision, Ezekiel conveyed God’s promise to revive the nation, return them to their land, and renew their covenant. Ezekiel’s task was to keep the Jews faithful and convince them that the exile was temporary and that restoration was assured through divine intervention.

10. TODO Four Reasons for Jewish Survival In Exile

10.1. Geography

The Jews lived together near the Chebar River, forming close-knit communities that preserved religious and cultural identity.

10.2. Leadership

The Exilarchate (descendants of the Davidic line) provided political and symbolic continuity. Prophets like Jeremiah offered moral and spiritual guidance, helping the exiles adapt without assimilating.

10.3. Diversified Economy

The Jews engaged in agriculture, trade, and finance (as shown in the Murušu tablets), ensuring material stability and independence.

10.4. Acculturation (without Assimilation)

Jews adopted certain Babylonian customs and language but maintained distinct religious practices, balancing integration with faithfulnes (see: Four Factors that Influenced the Jews in Babylon)

11. TODO Cyrus, The Achaemenid Empire and its innovations (pp. 26-27)

  • Cyrus the Great (r. 559–530 BCE) was known for his tolerance, justice, and respect for local traditions.
  • He conquered Babylon in 539 BCE and established the Achaemenid Empire, one of history’s largest empires, stretching from the Indus Valley to Egypt.
  • The empire was organized into satrapies (provinces), each governed by a satrap, ensuring efficient administration and loyalty.
  • Aramaic was adopted as the empire’s official language, promoting communication and unity.
  • Infrastructure innovations such as the Royal Road (2,400 km from Susa to Sardis) improved trade and go

vernance.

  • Religious policy: Cyrus allowed conquered peoples—including the Jews—to return to their homelands and rebuild their temple.

(see: Cyrus the Great, The Achaemenid Empire, Cyrus Cylinder)

12. DONE The Three Stages of the Return to Zion and the Rebuilding of the Temple

12.1. First Phase (538 BCE):

  • Led by Sheshbazzar, Zerubbabel, and Jeshua following Cyrus’s decree.
  • The returnees rebuilt the altar and laid the Temple foundations, resuming sacrifices.
  • Symbolized spiritual renewal, as seen in Ezekiel’s Prophecy of the Dry Bones.

12.2. Second Phase (522 BCE):

  • Under Darius I, about 42,000 Jews returned.
  • The Temple reconstruction was completed in 516 BCE, restoring worship in Jerusalem.
  • The rebuilding represented the physical restoration of the Jewish nation.

12.3. Third Phase (458 BCE):

  • Led by Ezra and later Nehemiah.
  • Ezra emphasized Torah study and religious reform, shifting Judaism’s focus from Temple-centered worship to communal learning and observance.
  • Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls, providing security and stability.
  • Together, they established the foundations of Second Temple Judaism.

(see: The Jewish Return to Zion)

13. DONE Ezra 1:1-4;7-11 on Cyrus(pp. 29-30)

  • In Ezra 1, Cyrus issues a decree proclaiming that God of Israel commanded him to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.
  • Cyrus returns the Temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem.
  • The Babylonian Cyrus Cylinder attributes his authority to Marduk, the Hebrew Bible attributes it to hthe god of israel.

13.1. Cyrus Cylinder(pp. 31-33)

  • An Akkadian-inscribed clay cylinder celebrating Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon (539 BCE).
  • Portrays Cyrus as chosen by Marduk to restore justice and rebuild temples.
  • Demonstrates Persia’s policy of tolerance and respect for local religions.
  • While it does not mention the Jews, it provides context for the Biblical account of Cyrus’s decree in Ezra.
  • Often (though debatably) regarded as an early statement of human rights.

(see: Cyrus Cylinder)

14. DONE Psalm 126 – A Song of Ascents (p. 34)

(see: Psalm 126 — The Song of Ascents)

  • Written to celebrate the Return to Zion after the Babylonian Exile.
  • Expresses joy and amazement: “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like dreamers.”
  • Combines thanksgiving for redemption with hope for complete restoration.
  • The psalm reflects both past deliverance (return from exile) and future prayer for total renewal.
  • Central theme: Faith. God’s past miracles inspire confidence in future redemption.

15. Elsewhere

15.1. References

15.2. In my garden

Notes that link to this note (AKA backlinks).

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