When did Nebuchadnezzar destroy the Temple and take Israel into captivity?
In 606 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire destroyed the Temple and took Israel into captivity. This occurred shortly after the Temple had stood for about 400 years. The conquering empire emptied the land of most Jews, carrying them east to Babylon. Later, after 70 years, Cyrus permitted a remnant to return.
Les explains that the destruction and captivity happened in 606 B.C., which was shortly after the Temple had been built—a matter of about 400 years. He says Nebuchadnezzar came in, and the Babylonian Empire destroyed the Temple, and Jerusalem and Israel went into captivity. Les points out that conquering empires commonly emptied the land of Israel of most of the Jews, taking them out east to Babylon. Then, 70 years later, the Medes and Persians, under King Cyrus, gave a decree that the Jews were free to return to their homeland, to Jerusalem, and had permission to rebuild their Temple. Even so, most Jews in Babylon did not return; only 44,000 out of several million went back.