Exile

Exile - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(1.) Of the kingdom of Israel. In the time of Pekah, Tiglath-pileser II. carried away captive into Assyria (2 Kings 15:29; comp. Isa. 10:5, 6) a part of the inhabitants of Galilee and of Gilead (B.C. 741).

After the destruction of Samaria (B.C. 720) by Shalmaneser and Sargon (q.v.), there was a general deportation of the Israelites into Mesopotamia and Media (2 Kings 17:6; 18:9; 1 Chr. 5:26). (See ISRAEL, KINGDOM [198]OF.)

(2.) Of the kingdom of the two tribes, the kingdom of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (Jer. 25:1), invaded Judah, and carried away some royal youths, including Daniel and his companions (B.C. 606), together with the sacred vessels of the temple (2 Chr. 36:7; Dan. 1:2). In B.C. 598 (Jer. 52:28; 2 Kings 24:12), in the beginning of Jehoiachin's reign (2 Kings 24:8), Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive 3,023 eminent Jews, including the king (2 Chr. 36:10), with his family and officers (2 Kings 24:12), and a large number of warriors (16), with very many persons of note (14), and artisans (16), leaving behind only those who were poor and helpless. This was the first general deportation to Babylon.

In B.C. 588, after the revolt of Zedekiah (q.v.), there was a second general deportation of Jews by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 52:29; 2 Kings 25:8), including 832 more of the principal men of the kingdom. He carried away also the rest of the sacred vessels (2 Chr. 36:18). From this period, when the temple was destroyed (2 Kings 25:9), to the complete restoration, B.C. 517 (Ezra 6:15), is the period of the "seventy years."

In B.C. 582 occurred the last and final deportation. The entire number Nebuchadnezzar carried captive was 4,600 heads of families with their wives and children and dependants (Jer. 52:30; 43:5-7; 2 Chr. 36:20, etc.). Thus the exiles formed a very considerable community in Babylon.

When Cyrus granted permission to the Jews to return to their own land (Ezra 1:5; 7:13), only a comparatively small number at first availed themselves of the privilege. It cannot be questioned that many belonging to the kingdom of Israel ultimately joined the Jews under Ezra, Zerubbabel, and Nehemiah, and returned along with them to Jerusalem (Jer. 50:4, 5, 17-20, 33-35).

Large numbers had, however, settled in the land of Babylon, and formed numerous colonies in different parts of the kingdom. Their descendants very probably have spread far into Eastern lands and become absorbed in the general population. (See JUDAH, [199]KINGDOM OF; [200]CAPTIVITY.)

Exile - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

EX'ILE, n. eg'zile. [L. exilium, exul; The word is probably compounded of ex and a root in Sl, signifying to depart, or cut off, to separate, or the thrust away, perhaps L. salio.]

1. Banishment; the state of being expelled from one's native country or place of residence by authority, and forbid to return, either for a limited time or for perpetuity.

2. An abandonment of one's country, or removal to a foreign country for residence, through fear, disgust or resentment, or for any cause distinct from business, is called a voluntary exile, as is also a separation from one's country and friends by distress or necessity.

3. The person banished, or expelled from his country by authority; also, one who abandons his country and resides in another; or one who is separated from his country and friends by necessity.

EX'ILE, v.t. To banish, as a person from his country or from a particular jurisdiction by authority, with a prohibition of return; to drive away, expel or transport from one's country.

1. To drive from one's country by misfortune, necessity or distress.

To exile one's self, is to quit one's country with a view not to return

EX'ILE, a. eg'zil, [L. exilis.] Slender; thin; fine.

ek'-sil, eg'-zil (galah, tsa`ah):

Occurs twice only in the King James Version (2Sa 15:19 (galah, "to remove"); Isa 51:14 (tsa`ah, "to be bowed down")). In the Revised Version (British and American) "exile" is substituted for "captivity" (Ezr 8:35 (shebhi), and Eze 12:4 (golah)); "go into exile," for "remove and go" (Eze 12:11); "exiles of Ethiopia" for "Ethiopians captives" (Isa 20:4); "He shall let my exiles go free" for "He shall let go my captives" (Isa 45:13); "an exile" for "a captive" (Isa 49:21). "The exile" is in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "the captivity" (which see).

Definition

The term “exile” refers to people being forced to live somewhere away from their home country.

• People are usually sent into exile for punishment or for political reasons.
• A conquered people may be taken into exile to the country of the conquering army, in order to work for them.
• The “Babylonian exile” (or “the exile”) is a period in Bible history when many Jewish citizens of the region of Judah were taken from their homes and forced to live in Babylon. It lasted 70 years.
• The phrase “the exiles” refers to people who are living in exile, away from their home country.

Translation Suggestions

• The term to “exile” could also be translated as to “send away” or to “force out” or to “banish.”
• The term “the exile” could be translated with a word or phrase that means “the sent away time” or “the time of banishment” or “the time of forced absence” or “banishment.”
• Ways to translate “the exiles” could include “the exiled people” or “the people who were banished” or “the people exiled to Babylon.”

(See also: Babylon, Judah)

Bible References

• 2 Kings 24:14
• Daniel 2:25-26
• Ezekiel 1:1-3
• Isaiah 20:4
• Jeremiah 29:1-3

Word Data

• Strong’s: H1123, H1473, H1540, H1541, H1546, H1547, H3212, H3318, H5080, H6808, H7617, H7622, H8689, G39270