Pharaoh Necho’s campaign in northern Syria coincides with the
brief reign of Jehoahaz, who was deposed on Necho’s return shortly after 1
Tishri (late Sept) 609, at which time Jehoiakim’s accession begins. First year
of Jehoiakim, Tishri 608 (Sept–Oct) to Elul 607 (Aug–Sept). Third year of
Jehoiakim, Tishri 606 (Sept–Oct) to last of Elul, 605 (Oct 6). This is the
twenty-first year of Nabopolasar and the accession year of Nebuchadrezzar.
Battle of Carchemish, late May to early June 605; Nabopolasar’s death Aug
15/16, 605. Nebuchadrezzar’s coronation Sept 7, 605. The accession year of
Nebuchadrezzar = the third year of Jehoiakim. First (regnal) year of Nebuchadrezzar
= the fourth year of Jehoiakim.
Jehoiakim reigned 11 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:36). Dan. 1:1, 2 encompasses a period of 8
years. At the beginning of the eight years, in 605 BCE, Daniel and his
companions would be deported (Dan.
1:1, 3).
At the end of the eight years, in 597, Jehoiakim would be deposed, and some of
the temple utensils taken (2
Chron. 36:5-7; Jer.
52:28; Dan. 1:2).
Next followed Jehoiachin’s appointment, lasting only three months.
Nebuchadrezzar, in his 8th year, would take 8000 into exile,
including Jehoiachin. All remaining temple utensils would be taken (2 Kings 24:10-16; 2 Chron. 36:9, 10). This proves that the
deportations do not have to be associated with the siege and capture of
Jerusalem. Even after the fall of Jerusalem, during Nebuchadrezzar’s 18th
year, the land was not left completely desolate. Jeremiah reports a final
deportation in Nebuchadrezzar’s 23rd year (Jer.
52:27-30). See
A. R. Green (1982). “The Chronology of the Last Days of Judah: Two Apparent
Discrepancies.” Journal of Biblical
Literature, 101, pp. 57–73.
Land was never desolate for seventy years. The slavery of the nations under the Babylonians would last seventy years (Jer. 25:11).