103 Babylonian Chronicle

Museum Description: Nebuchadnezzar Captures Jerusalem

Room: 55/Case: 7/Number: ME 21946

Scripture: 2 Kings 24:10

This is one of the four most important cuneiform tablets for Bible students, all four of which are in The British Museum.  They tell the story of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, and their return 70 years later.  This is the first, the Babylonian Chronicle, which reads in part “In the seventh year, the month of Kislev, the king of Akkad [Nebuchadnezzar] mustered his troops, marched to Hatti-land [Israel], and encamped against the city of Judah and on the second day of the month of Adar he seized the city and captured the king [Jehoiachin]. He appointed there a king of his own choice [Zedekiah], received its heavy tribute and sent them to Babylon.”  This completely agrees with the Bible account of the King being deposed and another set up in his place.  This was also the beginning of the 'appointed times of the nations’ and so is a vital date in Bible history.  For us it is very interesting to see the secular confirmation of this most important event.