Babylonian Exile Research Paper

Brett Triggs Triggs 1

World Civilization I

Professor Ravalli

Judaism during the Babylonian Exile There are hundreds of different religions around the world, ranging from polytheistic religions (meaning many gods) like the Egyptians to pantheistic religions, who believe in nature being God, as well as monotheistic religions (meaning one God) like Judaism. Judaism was the earliest known monotheistic religion in the Middle Eastern region. Judaism can be traced back to about 2000 B.C. Its main belief system is that there is “a single, all-power God as the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of the Universe” (Craig 57). This was an important differentiating factor between Judaism and many other religions at the time of its foundation. This religion would continue to grow and become one of the core religions of its time and is still influential today. One of the key growths and changes in the

In 1000 B.C., King David united all the city-states in the Israel region under one crown. However, this unification was not to last long. Disagreements arose about who the next king should be. Some believed that David had been chosen by God, and so all his descendants would also be chosen by God to be rulers. Others, however, felt that God chose people from all lineages and therefore was not choosing the line of David alone to be rulers. This disagreement led to the breaking apart of Israel, resulting in two kingdoms. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin became one nation named Judah, staying with the line of David as ruler. The other ten tribes became another nation named Israel and picked rulers. The division of the nation is what ultimately led to the fall of Israel in 722 B.C. to the Assyrians and the fall of Judah to the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Babylonian Exile, often referred to as the Exile, was largely in effect against the Jews in