When did the Babylonian Empire destroy the Temple and take Israel into captivity?

In 606 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar came in and the Babylonian Empire destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem, and Israel went into captivity. The captivity lasted 70 years until the Medes and Persians, under King Cyrus, gave a decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple.

Les explains that this was another important time in history, shortly after the Temple was built a matter of 400 years. Nebuchadnezzar came in 606 B.C., and the Babylonian Empire destroyed the Temple, Jerusalem, and Israel went into captivity. Les points out that conquering empires literally emptied the land of Israel of most of the Jews, taking them east to Babylon. Then 70 years later, the Medes and Persians, King Cyrus, gave a decree that the Jews were free to go back to their homeland, back to Jerusalem, and had permission to rebuild their Temple. But Les notes that most Jews in Babylon did not return—only 44,000 out of several million.

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.