Difference between revisions of "Diaspora"

<p> The diaspora took place over several centuries. While its exact beginnings are difficult to date, two major events greatly contributed to it. In 722 B. C. the [[Assyrians]] captured the Northern [[Kingdom]] (Israel). Following this victory, the Assyrians resettled large numbers of the [[Israelites]] in [[Assyria]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 17:6 ). In 586 B. C. the [[Babylonians]] captured the Southern Kingdom (Judah) and followed the same policy of resettlement. Many of the residents of Judah were transported to [[Babylon]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 25:8-12 ). While some of these persons later returned to Judah, many of them remained permanently in Babylon. Later, other wars fought by the [[Greeks]] and Romans in [[Palestine]] helped scatter more of the [[Jewish]] people. </p> <p> The diaspora was further encouraged by severe economic conditions which gripped Palestine. The warfare in the land disrupted the ability of the people to make a living. Also, heavy taxes were exacted from the people by the dominant foreign powers. This made life even more difficult. </p> <p> [[Adding]] to this impulse to leave Palestine was the good reception the [[Jews]] generally received in other lands. As a rule, they were allowed to practice their own religion without interference. </p> <p> The result of the diaspora was that by New [[Testament]] times as many Jews lived outside of Palestine as lived within the land. In almost every city which Paul visited on his missionary journeys, he found a Jewish synagogue (&nbsp;Acts 14:1; &nbsp;Acts 17:1 ,Acts 17:1,&nbsp;17:10; &nbsp;Acts 18:4 ). The diaspora thus helped pave the way for the spread of the gospel. See Assyria; Babylonia; [[Exile]]; [[Synagogue]] . </p> <p> Lynn Jones </p>