Chapter 06. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invades Judea and imposes a new king (Book 10. From the Assyrian Captivity until the end of the Babylonian Exile (182 years)) (Antiquities of the Jews) (Flavius Josephus)

1. Now in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, one whose name was Nebuchadnezzar took the government over the Babylonians, who at the same time went up with a great army to the city Carchemish, which was on the Euphrates, upon a resolution he had taken to fight with Neco king of Egypt, under whose rule all of Syria then was. And when Neco understood the intention of the king of Babylon and that this expedition was made against him, he did not underestimate this attempt, but made haste with a great band of men to Euphrates to defend himself from Nebuchadnezzar; and when they had joined battle, he was beaten and lost many tens of thousands in the battle. So the king of Babylon passed over the Euphrates and took all Syria, as far as Pelusium, excepting Judea. But when Nebuchadnezzar had already reigned four years, which was the eighth of Jehoiakim's government over the Hebrews, the king of Babylon made an expedition with mighty forces against the Jews and required tribute of Jehoiakim and threatened upon his refusal to make war against him. Jehoiakim was afraid at his threat and bought his peace with money.  For three years, he brought the tribute he was ordered to bring.

2. But on the third year, upon hearing that the king of the Babylonians made an expedition against the Egyptians, he did not pay this tribute; yet  his hope was disappointed, for the Egyptians dared not fight at this time. And indeed the prophet Jeremiah foretold every day, how vain it was to set their hopes on Egypt and how the city would be overthrown by the king of Babylon, and that Jehoiakim the king would be subdued by him.

But what he thus spoke proved of no advantage to them, because there were none that would escape. For when they heard him, both the multitude and the rulers were unconcerned at what they heard; but being displeased at what was said, as if the prophet were divining against the king. They accused Jeremiah and bringing him before the court, they required that sentence and punishment be decreed against him. Now all the rest voted for his condemnation, but the elders refused, who prudently sent away the prophet from the court and persuaded the rest to do Jeremiah no harm. They said that he was not the only person who foretold what would happen to the city, but that Micah had said the same before him, as well as many others, none of whom suffered anything from the kings that then reigned, but were honoured as the prophets of God. So they mollified the multitude with these words and delivered Jeremiah from the punishment to which he was condemned.

Now when this prophet had written all his prophecies and the people were fasting and assembled at the temple, on the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim, he read the book he had composed of his predictions of what was to befall the city and the temple and the multitude. And when the rulers heard of it, they took the book from him and bid him and Baruch the scribe to go their ways in case they should be found by someone or other; but they carried the book and gave it to the king. He gave order, in the presence of his friends, that his scribe should take it and read it. When the king heard what it contained, he was angry and tore it and threw it into the fire, where it was consumed. He also commanded that they should look for Jeremiah and Baruch the scribe and bring them to him, that they might be punished. However, they escaped his anger.

3. Now, a little time afterwards, the king of Babylon made an expedition against Jehoiakim, who received him [into the city] and this out of fear of the foregoing predictions of this prophet. He [Jehoiakim] supposed he should suffer nothing terrible, because he neither had shut the gates, nor fought against him. But when he [Nebuchadnezzar] came into the city, he did not observe the covenants he had made, but he slew such as were in the flower of their age and such as were of the greatest dignity, together with their king Jehoiakim, whom he commanded to be thrown before the walls, without any burial; and made his son Jehoiachin king of the country and of the city: he also took the principal persons in dignity for captives, three thousand in number and led them away to Babylon; among whom was the prophet Ezekiel, who was then but young. And this was the end of king Jehoiakim, when he had lived thirty-six years and of them reigned eleven. But Jehoiachin succeeded him in the kingdom, whose mother's name was Nehushta; she was a citizen of Jerusalem. He reigned three months and ten days.