Kingdom of Judah
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- Judea is a term used for the mountainous southern part of the historic Land of Israel.
The Kingdom of Judah (Hebrew מַמְלֶכֶת יְהוּדָה, Standard Hebrew Yəhuda Maləkôt, Tiberian Hebrew Yəhûḏāh Maləkôṯ) (c.930 BCE–586 BCE) was one of the successor states to the "United Monarchy" often known as the Kingdom of Israel. It is often referred to as the Southern Kingdom to distinguish it from the "Northern Kingdom" of Israel. According to the Hebrew Bible, the Kingdom of Judah first emerged after the death of Saul the King, when the tribe of Judah elevated King David to rule over them. The area of Har Yehudah (=the mountain (district) of the gorge(s)) seems to have originally been occupied by Kenites, Calebites, Othnielites, and in Jerusalem Jebusites. The tribe of Judah was Biblically initially the only one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel to follow the house of David to found the Southern Kingdom. Soon after, the tribe of Benjamin joined the tribe of Judah. According to the Book of Joshua (18:28), Jerusalem became the capital of the new kingdom.
After the death of Saul's son Ish-bosheth, David came to rule the other tribes of Israel, creating a united Kingdom of Israel. David's grandson Rehoboam was rejected by ten of the twelve Tribes of Israel during the disruption at Shechem, leaving only the Kingdom of Judah ruled by the Davidic line. The Northern Kingdom fell to the Assyrian Empire c. 720 BCE but the Kingdom of Judah survived for almost 350 years until it was conquered in 586 BCE by the Babylonian Empire under Nebuzar-adan, captain of Nebuchadnezzar's body-guard.(2 Kings 25:8-21). This event coincided with the destruction of the First Temple of Jerusalem and with the Babylonian Captivity.
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[edit] History
The United Monarchy was formed out of the territories of the twelve Hebrew tribes living in the area in and around modern Israel and Palestine. It existed from around 1030 BCE-920 BCE.
After the death of King Solomon, the son of King David, the ten northern tribes of the Kingdom of Israel revolted against the Davidic line, refusing to accept Rehoboam son of Solomon and instead chose as king Jeroboam who was not a member of King David's family.
When the disruption took place at Shechem, at first only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. But very soon after the tribe of Benjamin joined the tribe of Judah, and Jerusalem became the capital of the new kingdom (Joshua 18:28), which was called the kingdom of Judah.
The Kingdom of Israel, or Northern Kingdom, existed as an independent state from about 930 BCE until around 720 BCE when it was conquered by the Assyrian Empire. In myth, the Jews were exiled completely, becoming known as the The Ten Lost Tribes. However, it is estimated that only a fifth of the population (about 40,000) were actually resettled out of the area during the two deportation periods under Tiglath-pilaser III and Sargon II.(Finkelstein & Silberman 2001,The Bible Unearthed). Nevertheless, many Israelites fled south to Jerusalem, which appears to have expanded in size by 500% during this period, requiring a new wall to be built, and a new source of water (Siloam) to be provided by King Hezekiah.
[edit] Timeline
- 727-698 BCE. Reign of king Hezekiah of Judah. He is noted in the Bible for initiating reforms that outlawed, or enforced Jewish laws against, idolatry (in this case, the worship of Ba'alim and/or Asherah, among other traditional Near Eastern divinities). [1] 2 Kings 18-20
- c. 705 BCE Siloam inscription in Old Hebrew alphabet
- 698-642 BCE. Reign of king Manasseh of Judah, sacrificed his son to Molech, 2 Kings 21.
- 642-640 BCE. Reign of king Amon.
These two kings reversed Hezekiah's reforms and officially revived idolatry. According to later rabbinical accounts, Manasseh placed a grotesque, four-faced idol in the Holy of Holies.
- 640-609 BCE. The reign of king Josiah was accompanied by a religious reformation. According to the Bible, while repairs were made on the Temple, a 'Book of the Law' was discovered (possibly the book of Deuteronomy). [2] See also 1 Kings 13, 2 Kings 22-23 , 2 Chr 34-35
- 586 BCE. Babylon, under king Nebuchadnezzar II, seized Jerusalem. The First Temple was destroyed; the date was the 9th of Av, or Tisha B'Av. [3]
For the first sixty years, the kings of Judah aimed at re-establishing their authority over the kingdom of the other ten tribes, so that there was a state of perpetual war between them. For the following eighty years, there was no open war between them. For the most part, they were in friendly alliance, co-operating against their common enemies, especially against Damascus. After the destruction of Israel, Judah continued to exist for about a century and a half until its final overthrow in (586 BCE) by Nebuzar-adan, who was captain of Nebuchadnezzar's body-guard (2 Kings 25:8-21), an event which also saw the destruction of the First Temple.
[edit] Babylonian Captivity
In the wake of the conquest by the Babylonian Empire much of the populate of the Kingdom of Judah was dispersed throughout that empire.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Notable Personalities
[edit] Prophets Active in the Kingdom of Judah
- Amos, born in Judah but prophesied in Israel
- Habakkuk
- Isaiah, cousin of king Uzziah
- Jeremiah
- Joel
- Micah
- Obadiah
- Zechariah
- Zephaniah
[edit] Extent of the Kingdom
The Kingdom of Judah was the nation formed from the territories of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, and was named after Judah, son of Jacob (Israel).
Its capital was Jerusalem.
The kingdom maintained a separate existence for three hundred and eighty-nine years. It occupied an area of about 8,900 km² (3,435 square miles).
[edit] The Kings of Judah
For this period, most historians follow the chronology established by William F. Albright, by Edwin R. Thiele, or by Gershon Galil, all of which are shown below. All dates are BCE.
| Albright dates | Thiele dates | Galil dates | Common/Biblical Name | Regnal name and style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
[edit] The House of Saul |
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| 922–901 | 931–910 | 931–909 | Saul | 'שאול המלך or Sha'ul | Reigned in Israel & Judah for 40 years: He killed himself during the war with the Philistines in Mount Gilboa. |
[edit] The House of David |
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| 1000–962 | 1010–970 | David | דוד בן-ישי מלך ישראל Daud ben Yeshy, Melekh Ysr’al |
Reigned over Israel & Judah in Jerusalem for 33 years and 7 years in Hebron, 40 years in total. Death: Natural causes | |
| 962–922 | 970–931 | Solomon | שלמה בן-דוד מלך ישראל Shelomoh ben Daud, Melekh Ysr’al |
Reigned over Israel & Judah in Jerusalem for 40 years. Death: Natural Causes | |
| 922–915 | 931–913 | 931–914 | Rehoboam | רחבעם בן-שלמה מלך יהודה Rehav’am ben Shlomoh, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 17 years. Death: Natural Causes |
| 915–913 | 913–911 | 914–911 | Abijam | אבים בן-רחבעם מלך יהודה ’Aviyam ben Rehav’am, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 3 years. Death: Natural Causes |
| 913–873 | 911–870 | 911–870 | Asa | אסא בן-אבים מלך יהודה ’Asa ben ’Aviyam, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 41 years. Death: Severe foot disease |
| 873–849 | 870–848 | 870–845 | Jehoshaphat | יהושפט בן-אסא מלך יהודה Yehoshafat ben ’Asa, Melekh Yahudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 35 years. Death: Natural Causes |
| 849–842 | 848–841 | 851–843 | Jehoram | יהורם בן-יהושפט מלך יהודה Yehoram ben Yehoshafat, Melekh Yahudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 8 years. Death: Severe Stomach disease |
| 842–842 | 841–841 | 843–842 | Ahaziah | אחזיהו בן-יהורם מלך יהודה ’Ahazyahu ben Yehoram, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 1 year. Death: Killed by Jehu, next king of Israel in his time. |
| 842–837 | 841–835 | 842–835 | Athaliah | עתליה בת-עמרי מלכת יהודה ‘Atalyah bat ‘Omri, Malkat Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 6 years. Death: Killed by the troops assigned by Jehoiada the Priest to protect Joash. |
| 837–800 | 835–796 | 842–802 | Jehoash | יהואש בן-אחזיהו מלך יהודה Yehoash ben ’Ahazyahu, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 40 years. Death: Killed by his officials namely: Zabad, son of Shimeath, a Moabite Woman, and Jehozabad, son of Shimrith, a Moabite Woman. |
| 800–783 | 796–767 | 805–776 | Amaziah | אמציה בן-יהואש מלך יהודה ’Amatzyah ben Yehoash, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 29 years. Death: Killed in Lachish by the men sent by his officials who conspired against him. |
| 783–742 | 767–740 | 788–736 | Uzziah (Azariah) |
עזיה בן-אמציה מלך יהודה ‘Uziyah ben ’Amatzyah, Melekh Yehudah עזריה בן-אמציה מלך יהודה ‘Azaryah ben ’Amatzyah, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 52 years. Death: Leprosy |
| 742–735 | 740–732 | 758–742 | Jotham | יותם בן-עזיה מלך יהודה Yotam ben ‘Uziyah, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 16 years. Death: Natural Causes |
| 735–715 | 732–716 | 742–726 | Ahaz | אחז בן-יותם מלך יהודה ’Ahaz ben Yotam, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 16 years. Death: Natural Causes |
| 715–687 | 716–687 | 726–697 | Hezekiah | חזקיה בן-אחז מלך יהודה Hizqiyah ben ’Ahaz, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 29 years. Death: Natural Causes |
| 687–642 | 687–643 | 697–642 | Manasseh | מנשה בן-חזקיה מלך יהודה Menasheh ben Hizqiyah, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 55 years. Death: Natural Causes |
| 642–640 | 643–641 | 642–640 | Amon | אמון בן-מנשה מלך יהודה ’Amon ben Menasheh, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 2 years. Death: Killed by his officials, which were killed later on by the people of Judah. |
| 640–609 | 641–609 | 640–609 | Josiah | יאשיהו בן-אמון מלך יהודה Yo’shiyahu ben ’Amon, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 31 years. Death: He was shot by archers during the battle aginst Neco of Egypt. He died upon his arrival on Jerusalem. |
| 609 | 609 | 609 | Jehoahaz (Ahaz) |
יהואחז בן-יאשיהו מלך יהודה Yeho’ahaz ben Yo’shiyahu, Melekh Yehudah אחז בן-יאשיהו מלך יהודה ’Ahaz ben Yo’shiyahu, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 3 months. Death: Neco, king of Egypt, dethroned him and was replaced by his brother , Eliakim. Then he was carried off to Egypt, where he died. |
| 609–598 | 609–598 | 609–598 | Jehoiakim | יהויקים בן-יאשיהו מלך יהודה Yehoyaqim ben Yo’shiyahu, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 11 years. Death: Natural Causes |
| 598 | 598 | 598–597 | Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) |
יהויכין בן-יהויקים מלך יהודה Yehoyakhin ben Yehoyaqim, Melekh Yehudah יכניהו בן-יהויקים מלך יהודה Yekhonyahu ben Yehoyaqim, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 3 months & 10 days. Death: King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon sent for him and brought him to Babylon, where he lived and died. |
| 597–587 | 597–586 | 597–586 | Zedekiah | צדקיהו בן-יהויכין מלך יהודה Tzidqiyahu ben Yo’shiyahu, Melekh Yehudah |
Reigned over Judah in Jerusalem for 11 years. Death: King Nebuchadnezzar attacked and captured Jerusalem. He had Zedekiah arrested and had his eyes popped out. Then, he carried him off to Babylon as a prisoner. |
[edit] Notes
- Hezekiah: contemporary with Sennacherib of Assyria, and Merodach-baladan of Babylon.
- Zedekiah: King during the second rebellion (588–586 BCE). Jerusalem was captured after a lengthy siege, the temple burnt, Zedekiah taken into exile and Judah was reduced to a province. Nebuchadnezzar had left Gedaliah as his governor, who was killed in one last revolt, and the few members of the ruling classes left from the kingdom of Judah took the prophets Jeremiah and Baruch with them as they fled to sanctuary in Egypt.
[edit] From the end of the kingdom to the present
After the end of the ancient kingdom the area passed into foreign rule, apart from brief periods, under the following powers:
- 141–37 BCE: The Hasmonean state in Israel established by the Maccabees, after 63 BC under Roman supremacy
- 37 BCE–70 CE: Herodian Dynasty ruling Judea under Roman supremacy (37 BCE-6 CE, 41-44 CE), interchanging with direct Roman rule (6-41, 44-66). This ended in the first Jewish Revolt of 66 - 73, which saw the Temple destroyed in 70.
- 6 CE Census of Quirinius and establishment of Roman Iudaea Province
- 70–395: province of Roman Empire first called Judea, after 135 called Palaestina. In 395 the Roman Empire is split into a Western and an Eastern part.
- 395–638: Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire
- 638–1099: Arab Caliphates and subject rulers
- 1099–1187: Crusader states, most notably the Kingdom of Jerusalem
- 1187–1260: dominated by the Ayyubides of Egypt
- 1260–1516: dominated by the Mamluks of Egypt
- 1918–1948: British mandate of Palestine under, first, League of Nations, then, successor United Nations; the Emirate of Trans-Jordan was separated from the rest of Palestine in 1922, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan became independent upon the expiration of the League of Nations Mandate in 1946.
- May 1948 to present: independent State of Israel
-
- 1948-1967 the West Bank was occupied by, and in 1950 annexed to, Jordan. Gaza Strip was occupied by Egypt
- 1967 to present: the West Bank and Gaza Strip occupied by Israel in the Six Day War, since :1994 a semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority governs territories in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Jewish History Resource Center Project of the Dinur Center for Research in Jewish History, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Complete Bible Genealogy A synchronized chart of the kings of Judah and Israel
- Ras Judah Ras Judah, Reggae musician from Botswana, now living in New Zealand
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History of ancient Israel and Judah · Land of Israel · Kingdom of Israel · Kingdom of Judah · United Monarchy Tanakh · Bible · Hebrew Bible · Old Testament · The Bible and history |
