Babylonian & Persian
Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar II, fully conquered Judea (The Southern Kingdom) in 586 BC and took the final group of captives back to Babylonia as prophesied by Isaiah and Jeremiah. There had been three prior sieges where Jews were taken into exile. Jeremiah, in his prophesy stated that Israel would remain in captivity for seventy years. Babylon and the Chaldees lost power to the Mede's and Persians, leading to the Persian Period. It was in the midst of this transition that Queen Esther marries King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I of Persia). Some believe that Cyrus the Great came from this lineage. One hundred years before the birth of Cyrus the Great, Isaiah prophesied that a king by the name of Cyrus would allow the Jews to return to Israel. Sure enough, this happened when Cyrus signed an edict in 538 BCE allowing the Jewish return to the Promised Land. It was at this time that Ezra and Nehemiah spoke about in their books.
Thus says Jehovah to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut.
Isaiah 45:1
Thus says Jehovah to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut.
Isaiah 45:1
Type: Arrow Head
Age: 600 BCE Era: Persian Culture: Chaldean/Babylonian Excavated: Jerusalem Purchased: Jerusalem, Israel. Note from seller: BABYLONIAN ARROWHEAD – THE DAYS OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FIRST TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM. This arrowhead made of bronze dates back to the 7th-6th centuries BC. This arrowhead belongs to the group of “Scytho-Iranian” arrows, which indicates its origin in the eastern regions of the ancient Near East, which were known for the excellent archery skills of their people. Arrowheads of this type were already used by the Assyrians at the end of the seventh century BC, but they became more common during the military conquests of the Babylonian armies, in which the kingdom of Judea was conquered and the First Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. This type of arrowhead is found in a variety of sites of the destruction of the First Temple and is a testament to the turbulent days of the end of the First Temple period in the Holy Land, during the difficult time prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah. In Zedekiah’s ninth year as king, on the tenth day of the tenth month,[a] King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia led his entire army to attack Jerusalem. The troops set up camp outside the city and built ramps up to the city walls. (2 Kings 25:1) |
Type: Altar Amulet (reflective of the four horned alter)
Age: 664-332 BCE Era: Persian Culture: Egyptian/Judean Excavated: Unknown Purchased: Mark E. Reid Ed.D. I find this small amulet interesting due to its shape. The four horned alter was used throughout the near east, but most notably in the Jerusalem Temple. Sacrifice was to only occur at the Jerusalem temple; however, as the Judahites and Israelites fell away from following the LORD, they started to create different sacrificial areas (including the high places). As such, these types of alters have been found throughout Israel. Click here for an example of Four Horned Incense Altar: |