Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context: Exile, in the biblical context, refers to the forced displacement of individuals or groups from their homeland, often as a result of divine judgment or political conquest. The concept of exile is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing both punishment and the hope of restoration. Old Testament Exiles: The most significant exiles in the Old Testament are the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians around 722 BC, leading to the dispersion of the ten tribes (2 Kings 17:6). The Southern Kingdom of Judah faced a similar fate when the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC, taking many Jews into captivity (2 Kings 25:8-12). The Babylonian Exile is particularly pivotal, as it marks a period of profound theological reflection and transformation for the Jewish people. The prophets, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, provided guidance and hope during this time. Jeremiah prophesied the exile and encouraged the people to seek the welfare of the city where they were taken (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Ezekiel, among the exiles, received visions of God's glory and the promise of restoration (Ezekiel 11:16-20). Return from Exile: The return from Babylonian exile began under the decree of Cyrus the Great of Persia in 538 BC, as recorded in the book of Ezra. This return fulfilled the prophetic promises of restoration and renewal. Ezra 1:1-3 states, "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing: 'This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel.'" Theological Significance: Exile serves as a metaphor for spiritual alienation and the consequences of sin. It underscores the themes of judgment, repentance, and divine mercy. The experience of exile and return is a testament to God's faithfulness and the hope of redemption. The prophets often used the imagery of exile to call the people back to covenant faithfulness and to assure them of God's enduring love and plans for restoration (Isaiah 40:1-2, Jeremiah 31:31-34). New Testament Perspective: In the New Testament, the concept of exile is expanded to include the spiritual condition of believers. Christians are described as "strangers and exiles" in the world, emphasizing their heavenly citizenship and the transient nature of earthly life (1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13-16). This perspective encourages believers to live with a focus on eternal values and the hope of the ultimate restoration in Christ. Conclusion: The theme of exile in the Bible is a profound narrative of loss and hope, judgment and grace. It reflects the human condition of separation from God and the divine promise of reconciliation and homecoming through faith and obedience. Greek 3927. parepidemos -- sojourning in a strange place ... Word Origin from para and epidemos (sojourning in) Definition sojourning in a strange place NASB Word Usage exiles (1), reside as aliens (1), strangers (1). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3927.htm - 7k Strong's Hebrew 1473. golah -- exiles, exile... 1472b, 1473. golah. 1474 . exiles, exile. Transliteration: golah Phonetic Spelling: (go-law') Short Definition: exile. Word Origin fem. part. ... /hebrew/1473.htm - 6k 5516. Sisera -- a general of the king of Hazor, also the father of ... 5517. Sia -- father of some returning exiles 2216. Zerubbabel -- "begotten in Babylon," a leader of returning ... 5618. Sophereth -- father of some returning exiles 2217. Zerubbabel -- "begotten in Babylon," leader of returning Isr ... 5614. Sephared -- the location of some exiles 5570. Senaah -- a family of returning exiles 5304. Nephisim -- a family of returned exiles 1546. galuth -- an exile Library The Return of the Exiles Release Likewise Granted to Exiles in the Islands. Athanasius under Julian and his Successors; Fourth and Fifth ... The Historia Acephala. Knox in the English Puritan Troubles at Frankfort: 1554-1555 The Release of Hope. (xxiv, xxix. ) Psalm cxxxvii. 4 Hillis -- God the Unwearied Guide The Priest of the World and King of Men I Will Touch Upon the Other Points, and Set Down the Actual Words ... Thesaurus Exiles (46 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Exiles (46 Occurrences). ... He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward," says Yahweh of Armies. ... /e/exiles.htm - 20k Kir (11 Occurrences) Ezra (28 Occurrences) Exile (101 Occurrences) Ezekiel (4 Occurrences) Servants (763 Occurrences) Solomon's (56 Occurrences) Seraiah (18 Occurrences) Zechariah (55 Occurrences) Book (211 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are the numbers in Ezra so different from those in Nehemiah? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Babylon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Exiles (46 Occurrences)Hebrews 11:13 1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 2:11 Ezra 1:11 Ezra 2:1 Ezra 4:1 Ezra 6:16 Ezra 6:19 Ezra 6:20 Ezra 8:35 Ezra 9:4 Ezra 10:6 Ezra 10:7 Ezra 10:8 Ezra 10:16 Nehemiah 7:6 Psalms 147:2 Isaiah 11:12 Isaiah 20:4 Isaiah 45:13 Isaiah 56:8 Jeremiah 20:4 Jeremiah 24:5 Jeremiah 28:4 Jeremiah 28:6 Jeremiah 29:1 Jeremiah 29:4 Jeremiah 29:19 Jeremiah 29:20 Jeremiah 29:22 Jeremiah 29:31 Jeremiah 40:1 Jeremiah 49:36 Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 3:11 Ezekiel 3:15 Ezekiel 11:15 Ezekiel 11:24 Ezekiel 11:25 Daniel 2:25 Daniel 5:13 Daniel 6:13 Amos 6:7 Obadiah 1:20 Micah 4:6 Zechariah 6:10 Subtopics Related Terms |