70 years of desolation

Reasoning The Scriptures

70 years of Desolation

70 years of Desolation70 years of Desolation70 years of Desolation70 years of Desolation

By M.S.Mariadas and Y.R.Dinakaran

Bible Students, M.B.S.A

About The “Desolation” of the city of Jerusalem and Judah and of the Babylonian captivity, and the

people, Prophet Isaiah warned in the days of Hezekiah about BC 701, 2 kings 20:16-18, In the days of

Manasseh , 2 Kings 21:12,13 In the 18th year of Josiah. BC 622 -621, prophetess Huldah warned also

about the coming destruction 2 kings 22:16,19, prophet Habakkuk warned Hab 1: 6-9, Finally Prophet

Jeremiah warned in the accession year of Jehoiakim BC 609-608, Jer 26:1,9.

Though Jeremiah prophesied, he was unaware of the time of the beginning of desolation, and the

length of the time of captivity. In the 3rd year of Jehoiakim BC 606-605 (which was 20

th year of reign of

Nebopolassar).Nebuchadnezzar as commander in chief of Babylonian army came and besieged

Jerusalem. Jehoiakim surrendered him part of the vessels of the temple and also few captives. This was

the First deportation of the captives from Jerusalem to Babylon, and Daniel was one among them

Dan 1:1, 2. Thus Jeremiah came to know in the 3rd year of Jehoiakim that the captivity and

DESOLATION began.

God is revealer of secrets and makes known what shall come to pass Dan 2:28, 29, Is 43:12. he will not

hide the secrets from his servants Gen 18:17, but he reveals Amos 3:7, John 5:20, Eph 3:3. Because it

is the character of God to reveal secrets to his servants, God revealed to Jeremiah in the 4th year of

reign of Jehoiakim BC 605 – 604 that the captivity, which took place in the 3rd year of Jehoiakim, would

last for FULL 70 years Jer 25:1, 11.

In Jer25:1 the Hebrew word ‘Rishony’ is Translated ‘First” (that was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar

though the meaning of the word is ‘first’, it was used in the sense of ‘Beginning’. This adjective is

derived from ‘Rishown’, used in Isa41:4 “I the Lord the first …. i.e. the beginning”, Where accession

year system is followed, Beginning” of reign points to accession year. When a king comes to throne on

a certain day in a year after the end of reign of a previous king, from that day (date) of coming to

throne, to the end of that calendar year, the time span is called accession year. And his first year of

reign starts from the (first day) of the next calendar year to the end of that year.

The word in Jer25; 1 ‘first’ was used in the sense of Beginning”, if we read it therefore as the year of

Nebuchadnezzar, instead of “first’ year of Nebuchadnezzar, we maintain harmony with other scriptures

and facts. It makes a lot of difference in saying “first” than saying “accession year”. Let us take the reign

of Nebuchadnezzar as an example. Babylonian chronicles are preserved in British museum.



Tablet #21946 #9Tablet #21946 #9Tablet #21946 #9Tablet #21946 #9----11111111 records

“For 21 years Nebopolassar had been king of Babylon. On the 8th of the month Ab he died (lit ‘the fate’), in the month of Elul Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon. And on the first day of the month Elul, he sat on the Royal throne in Babylon” According to our calendar, Nebopolassar died on 15

th Aug 605 BC. And Nebuchadnezzar sat on the

throne on 7th Sep 605BC.The accession year and the first year of Nebuchadnezzar appears as follows.

• ACCESSION YEAR

1st Elul (first day) BC605 to he end of the month Adar 604BC

Our calendar 7ht September BC 605 to 1st April 604BC.

• FIRST YEAR OF REIGN

Beginning of the next year Nisan 1st BC 604 to he end of Adar 603 BC

Our calendar April2nd 604BC to 21st March 603 BC

We have the record of both ‘Accession’ year and ‘First’ year of Nebuchadnezzar. Now we require the

accession year of Jehoiakim, the key to open some scriptures, which are otherwise shut –up. To know

the accession year of Jehoiakim, we need to know the month in which Josiah died, to construct the

regnal years of Jehoiakim. Megiddo Battle took place between Josiah and Pharoah Nechoh in the year

BC 609. Let us know brief history of it.

Pharaoh Nechoh is well known to us both from secular historians and from Egyptian monuments. He

was king of Egypt for 16 years from BC 610-594, According to Babylonian chronicles

Tablet # 21901(# 58Tablet # 21901(# 58Tablet # 21901(# 58Tablet # 21901(# 58----66663) :3) :3) :3) :---- “Nebopolassar in his 16th year of reign BC 610-609, captured Haran, where the Assyrian King ASSUR- UBALLIT sat on the throne as king though the Egyptian army came in help of ASSUR – UBALLIT Nebopolassar drove him out of Haran”

B.M. Tablet # 2512B.M. Tablet # 2512B.M. Tablet # 2512B.M. Tablet # 25127(#147(#147(#147(#14, 15, 15, 15, 15):):):):---- recordsrecordsrecordsrecords “On the 26th day of the month of Marcheswan, Nebopolassar sat upon the throne of Babylon (this was) the ‘Beginning of reign’ of Nebopolassar”

The accession year of Nebopolassar was from 23rd Nov BC 626 to the end of Adar 625 BC. His first

year of reign was from 1st Nisan 625 BC to the end of Adar 624BC , his 16

th year of reign was from

1st Nissan 610 BC to the end of Adar 609BC.During 17

th year of reign of Nebopolassar i.e. the nest year

609 -608 BC, Pharaoh Nechoh went to help ASSUR- UBALLIT, to recapture haran. Nechoh followed

the usual coast route through Philistia and Sharon, from thence intending to cross by Megiddo into

Jezreel plain. To prevent Nechoh from passing through his territories, Josiah went up against Pharaoh

Nechoh. The archers of Nechoh shot Josiah, and Josiah was mortally wounded at Megiddo, and was

carried back to Jerusalem in his second chariot 2 kings 23:29, 30, 2 Chro 35:22-24. Immediately after

Megiddo battle Pharaoh Nechoh went to help Assur – uballit in the attack of Haran (that month was

Tammuz).

B.M. Tablet # 21901(#62B.M. Tablet # 21901(#62B.M. Tablet # 21901(#62B.M. Tablet # 21901(#62----69) 69) 69) 69) records: records: records: records: ---- ““““that from the month of Tammuz until Elul, the city Haran

was attacked [the battle of Megiddo might have taken place in the end of sivan or in the beginning of

tammuz with regard to time and speed of those days about the Horses are swifter than the leopards”

(Hab 1:18) Egyptian horses and their chariots were more famous. Solomon brought forth out of Egypt

2 Chro 1:17. Pharaoh’s chariot was drawn by a company of horses S.Sol 1:9. Keeping in view the

swiftness of horses we can imagine the shortness of time taken by pharaoh to reach Haran]. Josiah did

not die at Megiddo. After returning from Megiddo to Jerusalem, how many days he lived are not given



in scriptures. But we know that he died in peace according to the prophecy of the prophetess Huldah.

2 kings 22:20. By reasons we can now conclude that Josiah did not die in the month of Sivan but died

in the month of Tammuz.

After the death of Josiah people made his son Jehoahaz as king by anointing him. Jehoahaz was the

fourth son of Josiah 1 Chron 3:15, He was also called Shallum compare Jer 22:11. He was 2 year

younger to his elder brother Jehoiakim 2 kings 23:31-36. There was some irregularity in anointing

Jehoahaz as king over looking Jehoiakim’s right (Nechoh did not approve Jehoahaz) After the three

months attack on Haran from Tammuz to Elul, Nechoh returned to southern Syria, and learnt of the

irregularity that occurred at Jerusalem, in his absence of 3 months. He sent orders to Jehoahaz to

attend the court, which he was holding at Riblah. Jehoahaz fell into the trap which Nechoh plotted

against him 2 kings 23:33; Ezek 19:3, 4. In Ezek 19:4 the Hebrew word ‘Shachath’ translated “PIT’

means TRAP (to catch).

Pharaoh removed Jehoahaz, and his 3 months of reign (Tammuz to Elul) came to an end. Jehoiakim

was made king, in the month of Tishri, and Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt as captive without return

according to the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jer 22:11, 12).

Josiah followed Tishri to Tishri year. During Josiah’s 18th year the book of the law was found (BC 622-

621) 2 kings 22:3, 8 and Passover was celebrated on the 14th Nisan (after well educating People,

teaching the Law) but still it was the 18th year 2 kings 23:23 Had Josiah followed Nisan to Nisan year, by

Nisan first day, there would have been a change in the year. This Tishri year continued up to 4th year of

Jehoiakim. From 5th year of Jehoiakim followed Nisan to Nisan year. It was Tishri to Tishri year during

Jehoahaz’s reign therefore Jehoahaz’s reign as well as the year ended with the end of Elul Jehoiakim

was made king in the month of Tishri by Pharaoh Nechoh.

Jehoiakim’s Regnal years ( up to 4Jehoiakim’s Regnal years ( up to 4Jehoiakim’s Regnal years ( up to 4Jehoiakim’s Regnal years ( up to 4thththth year)year)year)year)

Accession year Tishri 609 BC to the end of Elul 608 BC

1st year 1

st Tishri 608 BC to the end of Elul 607 BC

2nd year 2

nd Tishri 607 BC to the end of Elul 606 BC

3rd year 3

rd Tishri 606 BC to the end of Elul 605 BC

4th year 4

th Tishri 605 BC to the end of Elul 605 BC

The Accession year of NebuchadnezzarThe Accession year of NebuchadnezzarThe Accession year of NebuchadnezzarThe Accession year of Nebuchadnezzar

1st Elul BC 605 to the end of Adar BC 604. Now it is proved beyond doubt that the 4

th year of

Jehoiakim was the accession year of Nebuchadnezzar, but not the ‘First’ year, according to Jer 25:1

4444thththth year of Jehoiakim is an important year of Jehoiakim is an important year of Jehoiakim is an important year of Jehoiakim is an important year (year (year (year (BC605BC605BC605BC605---- 604)604)604)604)

1. In this year Nebopolassar died BM TBM TBM TBM Tablet ablet ablet ablet # 21946(#10# 21946(#10# 21946(#10# 21946(#10)

2. Nebuchadnezzar sat on the Royal throne BM TBM TBM TBM Tablet ablet ablet ablet # 21946(#1# 21946(#1# 21946(#1# 21946(#11111)

3. The Length of the time of Babylonian captivity was revealed to Jeremiah ( Jer 25:1, 11)

4. Jeremiah dictated to Baruch, the words of the Lord, to be written upon a roll of a book Jer

36:1-4

5. The Battle of carchemish took place Jer 46:2

6. It clarifies Daniel 1:1, 5, 18, 2:1



7. It averts mis – interpretation of 70 years of captivity and the year of return of Jews to their land

8. Finding 4th year of Jehoiakim as the accession year of Nebuchadnezzar, and the year as BC 605-

604 is like a key in our hand that helps us to open some other scriptures and glorify God, that

his word is TRUTH John 17:17, purified seven times Ps 12:6, Ps 119:148. Pro 30:5

Daniel and few others of the first deportation (Dan1:1) were appointed 3 years training in all sciences

Dan 1:5, and were tested by Nebuchadnezzar at the end of three years Dan 1;18, and after that in his

second year Nebuchadnezzar dreamed 2:1 some interesting clarification made to be cleared here.

Clarification of Dan1:1, 5, 18 and 2:1Clarification of Dan1:1, 5, 18 and 2:1Clarification of Dan1:1, 5, 18 and 2:1Clarification of Dan1:1, 5, 18 and 2:1

ReferenceReferenceReferenceReference Reign of Reign of Reign of Reign of

JehoiakimJehoiakimJehoiakimJehoiakim

Babylonian KingsBabylonian KingsBabylonian KingsBabylonian Kings

Nebopolassar andNebopolassar andNebopolassar andNebopolassar and

NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar

BC YearBC YearBC YearBC Year PeriodPeriodPeriodPeriod

Of TrainingOf TrainingOf TrainingOf Training

Dan1: and 5

Training

3rd year

20th year of

Nebopolassar,

Nebuchadnezzar

commander in

chief

606 BC to 605

1st year

Training

4th year

21st year of

Nebopolassar &

accession year of

Nebuchadnezzar

605 BC to 604

2nd year

Training 5th year 1

st year of

Nebuchadnezzar

604 BC to 603 3rd year

• Dan 1:18:- They were examined at the end of 3 years training i.e. at the end of the first year of

Nebuchadnezzar.

• Dan 2:1:- Nebuchadnezzar dreamed in his second year BC 603 to 602 BC

If we count 4th year of Jehoiakim as the ‘First’ year of Nebuchadnezzar, according to Jer 25:1 the

trainees will have only two years left with and it leads to misinterpretation. We have already mentioned

of Jer 25:1 in Hebrew is “Rishony” means “Beginning” i.e. accession year

Jehoiakim from his 5th year of reign followed Nissan to Nisan year. According Jer 36:9, 22, 23.He was

in his winter house sitting before fire i.e. in the ninth month BC 604, from Nisan ninth month is Kislev

(Nov/ Dec winter). It was in Kislev BC 604 Jehoiakim cast the book (Roll) written by Baruch by the

mouth of Jeremiah, in fire. Jehoiakim died in Dec 9, BC 598

Jehoiakim’Jehoiakim’Jehoiakim’Jehoiakim’ Regnal years Regnal years Regnal years Regnal years

4th year 1


5th year 1


6th year 1


7th year 1


8th year 1


9th year 1




10th year 1


11th year 1

st Nisan 598 BC to 22

nd Marcheshwan 598BC ( Dec 9. 589BC)

Johoiachin son of Jehoiakim came to throne on 9th Dec BC 589(marcheshwan 22

nd)

BM Tablet BM Tablet BM Tablet BM Tablet # # # # 21946219462194621946 “ In the seventh year , the month of Keslev, the King of Akkad mustered his troops marched to the Hatti-land , 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. He appointed there a king of his own choice ( lit heart) received its heavy tribute and sent (them) to Babylon”

Johoiachin was captured on 2nd Adar i.e. 16

th march 597 BC . He ruled fro 3 months 10 days from Dec

9 to March 16th 2 chro 36:9 ( Marcheshwan 22 to Adar 2) He came to the Throne on Marchehwan –

22( Dec 9, 598 BC )and was dethroned on Adar – 2 (March 16th 597 BC)

Hebrew Hebrew Hebrew Hebrew

CalendarCalendarCalendarCalendar

MonthsMonthsMonthsMonths DaysDaysDaysDays TotalTotalTotalTotal DaysDaysDaysDays Our CalendarOur CalendarOur CalendarOur Calendar DaysDaysDaysDays

Marcheshwan22-

29

8 8 Dec 9-31 23

Kislev 1-30 1 30 Jan 1-31 31

Tebet 1- 29 1 29 Feb 1-29 29 leap year

Sebat 1-30 1 30 March 1-16 16

Adar 1-2 - 2 2

Total No of

Month and days

3 10 99 99

This was the first fall of Jerusalem( 16th March 597) and second deportation of Captive in which Ezek

was carried to Babylon. BM Tablets :BM Tablets :BM Tablets :BM Tablets :---- records that it was seventhseventhseventhseventh year of Nebuchadnezzar but in 2

kings 24:12 it reads as 8th year, Fall of Jerusalem and capturing the king occurred in the 7

th year, but he

was taken to Babylon in the 8th year Adar is the last month of the year only 27 days remained ( from

adar 2) for completion of the year, after Adar 2 Nebuchadnezzar went and sent his servants to bring the

captives to Babylon. It took time 2 chron 36:9 “ When the year was expired King Nebuchadnezzar sent

and brought him to Babylon” so deporting of Johoiachin occurred in the 8th year.

Aster the Royal family and other captives taken to Babylon, Jeremiah sent a letter to the captives

carried away to Babylon, warning them not be deceived by false prophets, diviners etc. and informed

them the captivity would be FULL seventy years Jer 29:2,3, 8-10, The letter was sent in the month of

Nisan 597 BC ( April 597 BC) Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah son of Josiah as king on Adar 2

BC 597, His accession year was from the second day of Adar( 16th march 597BC )To Adar 29 ( April

12 597BC )

Zedekiah reigned 11 years in Jerusalem 2 kings 24:18, In the 9th year of his reign tenth month ( tebeth)

10th day ( 15

th Jan 588BC) Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, up to the eleventh year of King

Zedekiah 2 kings 25:1,2) And on the 9th day of the 4

th month the city was broken up ( July 587 BC ) Jer

39:2, 2 kings 25:3,4 Zedekiah was captured and carried away to Babylon. After that in the 5th month, on

the 7th day of the month, came Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s servant, and burnt the Temple,

King’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem. Jeremiah says “In the 5th month in the 10th day of the month Jerusalem was burnt” which was in the 19

th year of Nebuchadnezzar 1 kings 25:8,9 Jer 52:12,



13. From this we understand that Jerusalem was burnt between Aug 25 and 28, 587 BC ( It took time

to burn the Temple and Kings house, houses of great men and all the houses of Jerusalem) This was

the second Fall of Jerusalem and 3rd deportation of captives about 832 persons were carried away

2 kings 25:11, Jer 52:29. The problem here to be solved is whether 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar was

the 11th year of Zedekiah 2 kings 25:2,8 Jer 52:5,12 or whether 10

th year of Zedekiah was 18

th year of

Nebuchadnezzar Jer 32:1.

Here Nebuchadnezzar’s accession year also is taken into account as extra one year. Zedekiah’s 11th year

was 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar, Jerusalem was broken up on 29

th July and the Temple and Jerusalem

was burnt between 25th and 28

th Aug 587 BC, in the eleventh year of Zedekiah – If Nebuchadnezzar

besieged Jerusalem and the city was broken up on 29th July 11

th year of Zedekiah

And 10th year of Nebuchadnezzar 2 kings 25:2,4,8, Jer 52:12, how could he carry captives in the 18

th

year??? One year before the besiege??? Jer 52:29

If we deduct one year the accession year which taken into account then the 11th year of Zedekiah will be

18th year of Nebuchadnezzar and it was in 587 BC the Temple burnt

YearsYearsYearsYears Regnal YRegnal YRegnal YRegnal Years of Zedekiahears of Zedekiahears of Zedekiahears of Zedekiah

Accession Year Adar 2 = March 16,597, to Adar 29 = April 12 587 BC

1st year Nisan 1= April 13, 597 to Adar 29 =April 2,596 BC

2nd year Nisan 1= April 3, 596 to Adar 29 =April 21, 595BC

3rd year Nisan 1= April 22,598 to Adar 30 = April 11, 594 BC

4th year Nisan 1=-April 12, 594 to Adar 30 = April 29 ,593 BC

5th year Nisan 1= April 30, 596 to Adar 29 = April 18,592 BC

6th year Nisan 1= April 19,592 to Adar 29 =April7 ,591BC

7th year Nisan 1= April 8, 591 to Adar 30 = April 26 ,590 BC

8th year Nisan 1 = April 27, 590 to Adar30 =April 14,589 BC

9th year Nisan 1= April 15,589 to Adar 29 = April 3 ,588 BC

10th year Nisan 1 = April 4,588 to Adar 29 =April 22 ,587 BC

11th year Nisan 1= April 23 ,587 to Jerusalem Broken up on Jul 587 BC

Burnt on Aug 25-28 587 BC



Nebuchadnezzar’s Regnal YearsNebuchadnezzar’s Regnal YearsNebuchadnezzar’s Regnal YearsNebuchadnezzar’s Regnal Years ZedekiahZedekiahZedekiahZedekiah’s ’s ’s ’s Regnal Years Regnal Years Regnal Years Regnal Years

Accession Year Elul (7th Sep) 605 BC to Adar

end 604BC

1. Nisan 1 ,604 BC to End of Adar 603 BC

2. ‘’ 603BC ‘’ 602BC

3. ‘’ 602BC ‘’ 601BC

4 ‘’ 601BC ‘’ 600BC

5 ‘’ 600 BC ‘’ 599BC

6 ‘’ 599BC ‘’ 598BC

7 ‘’ 598BC ‘’ 597Bc Accession Year of Zedekiah

8 ‘’ 597BC ‘’ 596BC Nisan 1= April 13, 597 to Adar 29 =April 2,596 BC

9 ‘’ 596BC ‘’ 595BC Nisan1 = April 3, 596 to Adar 29 =April 21, 595BC

10 ‘’ 595BC ‘’ 594BC Nisan1 = April 22,598 to Adar 30 = April 11, 594

BC

11 ‘’ 594BC ‘’ 593BC Nisan 1 =-April 12, 594 to Adar 30 = April 29 ,593

BC

12 ‘’ 593BC ‘’ 592Bc Nisan1 = April 30, 596 to Adar 29 = April 18,592

BC

13 ‘’ 592BC ‘’ 591BC Nisan =April 19,592 to Adar 29 =April7 ,591BC

14 ‘’ 591BC ‘’ 590BC Nisan 1=April 8, 591 to Adar 30 = April 26 ,590

BC

15 ‘’ 590BC ‘’ 589BC Nisan1 = April 27, 590 to Adar30 =April 14,589

BC

16 ‘’ 589BC ‘’ 588Bc Nisan 1= April 15,589 to Adar 29 = April 3 ,588

BC

17 ‘’ 588BC ‘’ 587Bc Nisan 1 = April 4,588 to Adar 29 =April 22 ,587

BC

18 From April 23 ,587 to Jerusalem Broken

up on Jul 587 BC Burnt on Aug 25-28 587

BC

Nisan 1= April 23 ,587 to Jerusalem Broken up on

Jul 587 BC

Burnt on Aug 25-28 587 BC

Captives carried away from Jerusalem to BabylonCaptives carried away from Jerusalem to BabylonCaptives carried away from Jerusalem to BabylonCaptives carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon

1. 3rd year of Jehoiakim ( first deportation) BC 606 to 605 BC Daniel and others taken Dan 1:3-6

2. After 3 months 10 days of Johoiachin ( 2nd Deportation) Ezekiel and others taken Ezek 1:1-2

and /8th year of Nebuchadnezzar ( 1

st fall of Jerusalem) April 597 BC

3. 11th year of Zedekiah which was 18

th year of Nebuchadnezzar 2

nd Fall of Jerusalem and 3

rd

deportation Aug 587 BC

4. After Gedaliahs assassination there was disturbance. 23rd year of Nebuchadnezzar 4

th

deportation (between the 19th year to 23

rd year of Nebuchadnezzar comes the 5 years of rule of

Gedaliah) BC 582/581.



2nd Kings Records that 10,000 captives were carried away the men of might i.e. soldiers were 7000 2

kings 24:16 the figure given in Jeremiah against Nebuchadnezzar 8th year’s deportation of captives

seems to be very less. Septuagint dropped out the verses 28-30 More captives were carried away that

these. In the books of Ezra and Nehemiah we see about 50,000 captives returned Ezra2:64,65, Neh

7:66,67. so 2kings 24:14 account is reasonable.

Now from which captivity or year we have to count the beginning of the 70 years? Which year Cyrus

made the decree? And when the Jews returned to Jerusalem? The first deportation of captives was in

the year BC 606-604 , this year is harmony with others scriptures. The second deportation of captives

took place in the year BC 587 and the Temple was also burnt. After the death of Gedaliah, fourth

deportation of captives occurred in the year BC 582-581.

Daniel the captive of the 3rd year of Jehoiakim, BC 606-605( first captivity) understood from the

prophecies of Jeremiah, in the first year if Darius BC 538-537 that God would accomplish 70 years of

desolations for Jerusalem( Dan9:1; Jer 29:10) It was 69th year from the year of his captivity and only one

more year remained , for the completion of 70 years. There was no sign of deliverance. Daniel

therefore prayed to God, and confessing the sins of Israel Dan 9:1,3,20. Daniel surely might have

counted from the year of this captivity it is therefore reasonable and scriptural to count from the BC

606-605

Chart of 70 years of DesolationChart of 70 years of DesolationChart of 70 years of DesolationChart of 70 years of Desolation

Babylon fell to Cyrus on 16th Tishri 12

thOct 539 BC, Cyrus entered the city on Marchewhwan -3, Oct

29th 539BC Cyrus appointed his 62 year old maternal uncle Darius as Governor over Babylon and was

made King by Cyrus, Darius ruled for two years Cyrus took charge after Darius. There is a confusion

with regard to the reign of Cyrus mentioned in Dan 10:1 and Ezra 1:1, Dan 1:1 sates “In the Third year

of Cyrus” Ezra 1:1 states “ In the First year of Cyrus” It is one and the same year BC 536 Ezra counted

it from the time Cyrus Took charge and Daniel counted from the Fall of Babylon.

Reign of Darius And CyrusReign of Darius And CyrusReign of Darius And CyrusReign of Darius And Cyrus

(Ezra and Daniel followed from Nissan to Nisan year)

DARIUS (Ezra)DARIUS (Ezra)DARIUS (Ezra)DARIUS (Ezra) CYRUS (Daniel)CYRUS (Daniel)CYRUS (Daniel)CYRUS (Daniel)

Accession Year 16th Tishri 539 BC to Adar 538

BC

Accession Year 16th Tishri 539 BC to Adar 538

BC

1st year of Darius 1

st Nisan 538 to Adar 537BC 1

st year of Cyrus 1

st Nisan 538 to Adar 537BC

2nd year of Darius 1

st Nisan 537 to Adar 536 BC 2

nd year of Cyrus 1

st Nisan 537 to Adar 536 BC

3rd year of Cyrus 1

st Nisan536 to Adar 535 BC

BCBCBCBC yearyearyearyear BCBCBCBC yearyearyearyear BCBCBCBC yearyearyearyear BCBCBCBC yearyearyearyear BCBCBCBC yearyearyearyear BCBCBCBC yearyearyearyear BCBCBCBC yearyearyearyear

606-605 1 596-595 11 586-585 21 576-575 31 566-565 41 556-555 51 546-545 61

605-604 2 595-594 12 585-584 22 575-574 32 565-564 42 555-554 52 545-544 62

604-603 3 594-593 13 584-583 23 574-573 33 564-563 43 554-553 53 544-543 63

603-602 4 593-592 14 583-582 24 573-572 34 563-562 44 553-552 54 543-542 64

602-601 5 592-591 15 582-581 25 572-571 35 562-561 45 552-551 55 542-541 65

601-600 6 592-590 16 581-580 26 571-570 36 561-560 46 551-550 56 541-540 66

600-599 7 590-589 17 580-579 27 570-569 37 560-559 47 550-549 57 540-539 67

599-598 8 589-588 18 579-578 28 569-568 38 559-558 48 549-548 58 539-538 68

598-597 9 588-587 19 578-577 29 568-567 39 558-557 49 548-547 59 538-537 69

597-596 10 587-586 20 577-576 30 567-566 40 557-556 50 547-546 60 537-536 70



So Ezra counted it from the time Cyrus Took charge ( 1st year of Cyrus took charge Ezra 1:1)and

Daniel counted from the Fall of Babylon ( 3rd year of Cyrus 536 BC Dan10:1).Nisan 1. BC 536 was

1st April New year that was a Sunday 70 years was completed by 31

st march 536 BC. From first April the

month of Passover started. Jews observe that month with great devotion. 14th Passover, 15

th feast of

unleavened bread. A Holy day and21st also was a Holy day, the last day of the unleavened bread.

Because they were in Bondage they could not observe, the holy Sabbaths. Daniel mourned for three

full weeks i.e. from 1st April( Sunday) to 21

st April (Saturday).On April 24

th Tuesday he was by the river

of Heddekel Dan10:4 The sprit Angel sent from God, talked in a vision to Daniel, that the guarding

Spirit ( evil angel) of Persia withstood him 21 days (Dan 10:13) not allowing to stir up Cyrus. But

Michael came to his help, so that the Angel should remain with the Kings of Persia to Stir them up, to

do the needful help to Jews.

God is very prompt in fulfilling his promises. He promised Jer 29:10 “ after Seventy years be

accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to

return to this place” after the 70 years ended God Sent his angel , for that purpose, but 21 days the

Angel was not able to do anything. Because of obstacles and hindrance from satanic forces.

It is clear from the above that Cyrus did not make a decree up to 24th April 536 BC. After this date

Cyrus was STIRRED UP to make a decree to free Jews to go and build the temple of their God. “The

Lord STIRRED UP THE SPIRIT OF CYRUS 2 Chron 36:22, Ezra 1:1 The day when Cyrus made

the decree is not known he might have made in the month of Iyyar ( second month). The distance

between Babylon and Jerusalem is 900 miles. People during those days took 4 months time to cover

the distance by walk Ezra 7:9. After the decree they might have started by the end of 2nd month ( May).

The first captives returned to Jerusalem by 7th month, they kept the feast of Tabernacles Ezra 3:1,4, Lev

23:34( from 9th Oct to 15

th Oct 536BC).

God fixed a Beginning and end to the 70 years period. In each besiege, there was destruction, and

captives were taken, leaving their houses and and their field and Land lying desolate. It actually means

that in the period of 70 years desolations would take place in each successive attack, Likewise

desolation took place in the Four attacks and when 70 years were accomplished, Cyrus was Stirred up

to make a decree. And the first batch of Jewish volunteers left for Jerusalem and they were in the cities

by Tishri -1 25th Sep.

“He that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully. . .” -Jeremiah 23:28

70 years of desolation

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