Nebuchadnezzar's Failed Invasion of Egypt and Subsequent Withdrawal in 601 BCE

In 601 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, initiated an ambitious military campaign against Egypt. However, this invasion ended in failure, compelling him to retreat to Babylon to regroup and rebuild his forces. The unsuccessful campaign was perceived as a significant sign of weakness, leading to a loss of loyalty among several vassal states, including Judah. This defection triggered the Judahite–Babylonian War, as the people of Judah sought to assert their independence from Babylonian rule. In response to this revolt, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem in 598 BCE, aiming to quell the uprising and reassert his dominance. The siege culminated in 597 BCE with the capture of Jerusalem, resulting in the deportation of King Jeconiah of Judah, along with the city's aristocracy and priesthood, to Babylon. This event marked a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, as it signified the beginning of a period of exile and the decline of Judahite autonomy under Babylonian control.