OK ... new question.
Who are our experts on the history of Israel, during the time of the exile. My historical concepts are blurry here, and I need some help.
1. It appears that the northern kingdoms of Israel were attacked by the Assyrians. This would mean that after that conquest, the 10 tribes in the north of Israel were scattered (geographically). When did this happen? And when did these people return?
2. Meanwhile, the south of Israel, that is "Judah, was attacked by the Babylonians and taken captive ... sent as slaves to Babylon.
Can someone help me to understand the years (as best we can piece them together) when these two events took place? Were they simultaneous?
Also, when we read the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah in the OT, they seem to be addressing the people of Jerusalem, and predicting the fall and conquest (conquest by the Babylonians). Does this mean that the words from Isaiah and Jeremiah were directed only to the people of Judah, because the northern tribes had already fallen (i.e. northern Israel was already scattered by the Assyrians)?
Thanks for any help!
Gideon
Who are our experts on the history of Israel, during the time of the exile. My historical concepts are blurry here, and I need some help.
1. It appears that the northern kingdoms of Israel were attacked by the Assyrians. This would mean that after that conquest, the 10 tribes in the north of Israel were scattered (geographically). When did this happen? And when did these people return?
2. Meanwhile, the south of Israel, that is "Judah, was attacked by the Babylonians and taken captive ... sent as slaves to Babylon.
Can someone help me to understand the years (as best we can piece them together) when these two events took place? Were they simultaneous?
Also, when we read the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah in the OT, they seem to be addressing the people of Jerusalem, and predicting the fall and conquest (conquest by the Babylonians). Does this mean that the words from Isaiah and Jeremiah were directed only to the people of Judah, because the northern tribes had already fallen (i.e. northern Israel was already scattered by the Assyrians)?
Thanks for any help!
Gideon