The captivity of the Jews in Babylon (the “Babylonian Captivity”). In 597 bc the Babylonians captured Jerusalem and took King Jehoiachin and many leaders of the Judaean community, including the prophet Ezekiel, into exile in Babylon. Following further revolt, they again attacked Jerusalem and, after a three-year siege captured and destroyed it in 586 bc. Many of those taken to Babylon were settled in communities, with the result that distinctive Jewish teaching, religion, and life could continue. In 539 bc Babylon fell to Persia and one year later Cyrus II (the Great) gave permission for Jews who wished to do so to return home. The number returning was probably small and the return protracted over a long time.