when did nebuchadnezzar rule

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When did Nebuchadnezzar become king of Babylon?

605 BCENecho II was defeated in battle by Nebuchadnezzar II in 605 BCE near Carchemish and sometime shortly after this Nabopolassar died, of natural causes, in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar returned to the city a war hero and was crowned king in either late 605 or early 604 BCE.

How long did Nebuchadnezzar rule Babylon?

43 yearsNebuchadnezzar remains famous for his military campaigns in the Levant, for his construction projects in his capital, Babylon, and for the important part he played in Jewish history. Ruling for 43 years, Nebuchadnezzar was the longest-reigning king of the Chaldean dynasty.

When did Nebuchadnezzar conquer Jerusalem?

The siege of Jerusalem (597 BC) was a military campaign carried out by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, in which he besieged Jerusalem, then capital of the Kingdom of Judah....Siege of Jerusalem (597 BC)Datec. 597 BCResultBabylonian victory Babylon takes and despoils Jerusalem1 more row

Who were the kings of Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar?

SUCCESSORS OF NEBUCHADNEZZARSUCCESSORS OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR.562 - 560 Evil-Merodach released Jehoiakim (true Messianic line) from custody 560 - 556 Neriglissar 556 Labaski-Marduk reigned 556 - 539 Nabonidus: ... Spent the rest of his time trying to put down revolts and stabilize the kingdom.More items...•

Who was the last king of Babylon?

NabonidusBabylon's last native king was Nabonidus, who reigned from 556 to 539 BC. Nabonidus's rule was ended through Babylon being conquered by Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid Empire.

What country is Babylon today?

IraqWhere Is Babylon? The city of Babylon was located about 50 miles south of Baghdad along the Euphrates River in present-day Iraq. It was founded around 2300 B.C. by the ancient Akkadian-speaking people of southern Mesopotamia.

What year was Jerusalem destroyed by the Babylonians?

587/586 BCEEvery year religious Jews in Jerusalem and across the world pray and fast in remembrance of the destruction of the Jewish Temple to God in Jerusalem, first by the Babylonians in 587/586 BCE, resulting in the exile of the inhabitants of the city to Babylon, and yet again in 70 CE at the hands of the Roman legions led by ...

Who destroyed Jerusalem in 70 CE?

The RomansSiege of Jerusalem, (70 ce), Roman military blockade of Jerusalem during the First Jewish Revolt. The fall of the city marked the effective conclusion of a four-year campaign against the Jewish insurgency in Judaea. The Romans destroyed much of the city, including the Second Temple.

What year did Babylon invade Israel?

Babylonian Captivity, also called Babylonian Exile, the forced detention of Jews in Babylonia following the latter's conquest of the kingdom of Judah in 598/7 and 587/6 bce.

Who ruled Jerusalem after Nebuchadnezzar?

In 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Jehoiakim died during the siege and was succeeded by his son Jeconiah at an age of either eight or eighteen.

How did Nebuchadnezzar disobey God?

He appears most prominently in the Book of Daniel, in which Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Nebuchadnezzar is humbled twice by God: when he tries to punish the Israelites for refusing to worship an idol and when God punishes him with seven years of madness.

Was Nebuchadnezzar a real person?

Nebuchadnezzar was a warrior-king, often described as the greatest military leader of the Neo-Babylonian empire. He ruled from 605 – 562 BCE in the area around the Tigris-Euphrates basin. His leadership saw numerous military successes and the construction of building works such as the famous Ishtar Gate.

How long did Babylon last?

It lasted from roughly 1830 BC to 1531 BC. From 1770 to 1670 BC, its capital city, Babylon, was perhaps the largest city in the world. The last king, Samsu-Ditana was overthrown after a Hittite invasion. So, the First Babylonian Dynasty lasted roughly 300 years.

How old was Daniel when he was taken to Babylon?

According to the received accounts he was about seventeen years of age, possibly younger, at the time of the captivity.

Who was Nebuchadnezzar's wife?

AmytisAmytis was the daughter of the Median king Astyages. Amytis had a paternal aunt, also named Amytis, who the sister Astyages and was married to the king Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon.

How long did Daniel live in Babylon?

He was in Babylon serving various kings through the seventy years of the Jewish captivity (see Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10). Though there is no indication of his age at the time of his captivity, Daniel 1:21 shows that he lived to at least the age of eighty.

What was the battle between Babylon and Egypt?

Babylon had been engaged in a territorial struggle with the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho for control of Syria, 25 with Babylon seeking conquest of all lands south of the Euphrates including Egypt . 26 Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptian forces at Charchemish 27 on the Euphrates and pursued Pharaoh’s armies in their retreat through Hamath in central Syria. After returning to Babylon briefly to mourn his father’s death, Nebuchadnezzar marched unopposed through Greater Syria, and set his sights on subordinating the Land of Israel.

How long did Nebuchadnezzar lay siege to Jerusalem?

The Destruction of the Holy Temple. Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem for two years, and finally penetrated its walls on Tammuz 9. 48. He had outfitted Nebuzaradan with 300 mules laden with iron axes that could cut iron. All but one were broken in the attempt to breach one of Jerusalem’s gates.

What did Nebuchadnezzar do to the Jewish people?

Nebuchadnezzar is notorious for decimating the Jewish presence in the Land of Israel, exiling the vast majority of its denizens to Babylon, and destroying the first Holy Temple.

Why did Nebuchadnezzar use a sorcerer?

To ascertain the Divine intention, Nebuchadnezzar enlisted the services of a sorcerer. Nebuchadnezzar shot several arrows towards various kingdoms, and when all the arrows broke other than the one he shot toward Jerusalem, he interpreted it as a sign that he would be victorious. 42.

What prophecy did Nebuchadnezzar use to exhume his body?

After his demise and burial, Nebuchadnezzar’s corpse was exhumed and pierced by his enemies’ swords, 60 fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, “You were . . of those pierced by the sword, who descend to the stones of the pit, like a trampled corpse.” 61.

How long did Nebuchadnezzar's insanity plague him?

The narratives surrounding Nebuchadnezzar’s attempts to ensnare the Jews in the practice of idolatry, the insanity that plagued him for seven years, his charitable deeds towards the Jewish poor, and other stories, have been chronicled in a parallel article on the life of Daniel.

Who succeeded Nebuchadnezzar?

Nebuchadnezzar died in the year 3364 (397 BCE) and was succeeded by his son Evil [pronounced Eh-vil] Merodach whose reign extended for 23 years. He was followed by King Belshazzar who ascended the throne in 3387 (374 BCE).

What was Nebuchadnezzar's military career?

Nebuchadnezzar's military career began already during the reign of his father , though little information survives. Based on a letter sent to the temple administration of the Eanna temple, it appears that Nebuchadnezzar participated in his father's campaign to take the city of Harran in 610 BC. Harran was the seat of Ashur-uballit II, who had rallied what remained of the Assyrian army and ruled what was left of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The Babylonian victory in the Harran campaign, and the defeat of Ashur-uballit, in 609 BC marked the end of the ancient Assyrian monarchy, which would never be restored. According to the Babylonian Chronicle, Nebuchadnezzar also commanded an army in an unspecified mountainous region for several months in 607 BC.

What is the name of the mudbrick from Babylon?

A fired mudbrick from Babylon, stamped with the name and titles of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar II's name in Akkadian was Nabû-kudurri-uṣur, meaning " Nabu, watch over my heir". The name was often interpreted in earlier scholarship as "Nabu, protect the boundary", given that the word kudurru can also mean 'boundary' or 'line'.

What period did Nebuchadnezzar reign?

There are only very few cuneiform sources for the period between 594 BC and 557 BC , covering much of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, and the reigns of his three immediate successors; Amel-Marduk, Neriglissar and Labashi-Marduk. This lack of sources has the unfortunate effect that even though Nebuchadnezzar had the longest reign of all of them, less is confidently known of Nebuchadnezzar's reign than of the reigns of almost all the other Neo-Babylonian kings. Though the handful of cuneiform sources recovered, notably the Babylonian Chronicle, confirm some events of his reign, such as conflicts with the Kingdom of Judah, other events, such as the 586 BC destruction of Solomon's Temple and other potential military campaigns Nebuchadnezzar conducted, are not covered in any known cuneiform documents.

What was Nebuchadnezzar famous for?

Nebuchadnezzar remains famous for his military campaigns in the Levant, for his construction projects in his capital, Babylon, and for the important part he played in Jewish history. Ruling for 43 years, Nebuchadnezzar was the longest-reigning king of the Chaldean dynasty.

What dynasty was Nebuchadnezzar?

Dynasty. Chaldean dynasty. Father. Nabopolassar. Nebuchadnezzar II ( Babylonian cuneiform: Nabû-kudurri-uṣur, meaning " Nabu, watch over my heir"), also spelled Nebuchadrezzar II and historically known as Nebuchadnezzar the Great, was the second and greatest king of the Neo-Babyloni an Empire, ruling from the death of his father Nabopolassar in 605 ...

When did the Babylonian captivity end?

The Babylonian captivity initiated by Nebuchadnezzar came to an end with the fall of Babylon to the Achaemenid king Cyrus the Great in 539 BC. Within a year of their liberation, the captured Jews returned to Israel. Their liberation did little to erase the memory of five decades of imprisonment and oppression. Instead, Jewish literary accounts ensured that accounts of the hardship endured by the Jews, as well as the monarch responsible for it, would be remembered for all time. The Book of Jeremiah calls Nebuchadnezzar a 'lion' and a 'destroyer of nations'.

When did Nebuchadnezzar campaign against Egypt?

It is possible that Nebuchadnezzar campaigned against Egypt in 568 BC, given that a fragmentary Baylonian inscription, given the modern designation BM 33041, from that year records the word 'Egypt' as well as possibly traces of the name 'Amasis' (the name of the then incumbent Pharaoh, Amasis II, r. 570–526 BC).

What language was Nebuchadnezzar pronounced in?

He is known to westerners as Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadnezzar were how his name was pronounced in ancient times. Chaldaic was a dialect of Aramaic, and it used to be the official language of the Middle East and Mesopotamian region once the Babylonians gained power over the Assyrians. Nebuchadnezzar’s official name was pronounced ...

What did Daniel tell the Babylonian king?

Daniel had told the Babylonian king that this would happen and eventually came to pass. After this period was over God allowed Nebuchadnezzar regain his sanity. He then was humble enough to acknowledge that the Lord of the Hebrews was the only true and living God.

How long did King Nebuchadnezzar rule?

King Nebuchadnezzar went insane during a seven-year period during his rule. Nebuchadnezzar honestly believed that he handled being so successful during his reign and would not acknowledge that God was behind his achievements.

What was Nebuchadnezzar's greatest achievement?

Nebuchadnezzar had become very powerful and successful with his conquests, and the defeat of Judah was one of his most important victories. A few years after he conquered Judah he had a particular group of young Hebrew boys to become educated within his court.

When did Nebuchadnezzar take the throne?

Nebuchadnezzar took the throne of Babylon in 605 B.C. when his father passed away from natural causes. This is when he appears on the Biblical Timeline Chart. Before he became king, he was a coregent with Nabopolassar, and he was out fighting many battles to expand the Babylonian empire.

What did God reveal to Nebuchadnezzar?

The Bible states that before Nebuchadnezzar began his conquest the Lord communicated to him that he was supposed to dominate the land of Judah. God had revealed himself to Nebuchadnezzar, and this probably happened through the dreams he had and through the reputation of the Hebrew people.

Did Nebuchadnezzar have dreams?

Nebuchadnezzar was prone to have strange dreams that troubled him deeply, and he would usually try to have the Chaldean wise men interpret these dreams. The Chaldean wise men couldn’t interpret his dreams but with God’s help Daniel was able to tell Nebuchadnezzar about his dreams.

When did Nebuchadnezzar enter Palestine?

In Kislev (December) 598 Nebuchadnezzar entered Palestine, and, according to the Babylonian Chronicle, "he encamped against the city of Judah [i.e., Jerusalem] and on the second day of the month of Adar [i.e., March 16, 597] he seized the city and captured the king [i.e., Jehoiachin].

When did Nebuchadnezzar capture Jerusalem?

In 588 the siege of Jerusalem began, and in the summer of 586 Nebuchadnezzar captured the city, laid the Temple waste, carried off a large part of the population of Judah into captivity, and put Zedekiah and other Judean nobles to death. The land of Judah was turned into a province (see *Gedaliah son of Ahikam).

How long did the war between Tyre and Nebuchadnezzar last?

In the years following the capture of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar waged a war in Phoenicia against Tyre, most probably in 585, which, according to Josephus, lasted for 13 years (Ezek. 29:18; cf. Jos., Ant., 10:220–2; Jos., Apion, 1:154–60).

Why was Nebuchadnezzar assailed?

Since Nebuchadnezzar left the task of subduing Jerusalem and burning the Temple to Nebuzaradan, he is assailed mainly for trying to force image worship on the Jewish exiles.

How many kings did Nebuchadnezzar have?

Nebuchadnezzar's treatment of Zedekiah was at first favorable, and he even placed five kings under his rule; but when it seemed that they were prepared to plot against Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah reviled him in their presence, whereupon they betrayed Zedekiah to his suzerain (Lam. R. 2: 10, no. 14).

What was Nebuchadnezzar's greatest achievement?

Nebuchadnezzar built temples in many of the cities of his kingdom, but the main achievement of his reign was the rebuilding of Babylon, on a scale and with a magnificence never before envisaged. The city covered some 500 acres and was protected by massive double fortifications.

Where did Nebuchadnezzar go in Syria?

In his pursuit of the Egyptian forces, Nebuchadnezzar reached the region of Hamath in central Syria but was obliged to return to Babylon in consequence of his father's death.

How long did Nebuchadnezzar reign?

In 605, Nabopollasar died, and Nebuchadnezzar became the second king in the Chaldean dynasty. His reign lasted about 40 years, and was the longest (and most significant) reign of any Chaldean king.

What is the history of King Nebuchadnezzar?

Most of what people remember about Nebuchadnezzar come from Old Testament narratives ( such as the Book of Daniel), but these details aren’t supported by other ancient texts.

What dynasty was Nebuchadnezzar in?

Nebuchadnezzar belonged to the Chaldean dynasty. Nebuchadnezzar’s father, Nabopollasar, founded the Chaldean dynasty and the Neo-Babylonian Empire after he rebelled against the Assyrian Empire, declaring himself king of Babylon in 626 BC. Before he was king, Nebuchadnezzar was a formidable commander. He’s first mentioned in a 607 entry in the ...

What is Nebuchadnezzar's character?

The Old Testament paints Nebuchadnezzar as a violent, narcissistic king who was prone to anger and wickedness; a cautionary tale for those who don’t recognize God’s authority. History doesn’t tell us much about his character, but we do know he was a shrewd and powerful ruler who made Babylon into one of the most formidable empires on earth.

What was the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?

It was a massive, tiered structure as high as the city walls and about four or five acres at its base. Allegedly, Nebuchadnezzar had it built for his wife, Amytis, who missed the mountains of her homeland.

How long did Jehoiachin's reign last?

With Jerusalem besieged, Jehoiachin’s reign lasted for just three months before his surrender to the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar took everything from Jerusalem, including its king and 10,000 people ( 2 Kings 24:13–14 ).

When did Nebuchadnezzar invade Judah?

The Babylonian Chronicle states that in 597 Nebuchadnezzar “marched to Palestine and besieged the city of Judah which he captured on the second day of the month Adar” and then “seized its king and appointed a king of his own choice, having received heavy tribute which he sent back to Babylon”.

Why did Nebuchadnezzar not dare listen to the nobles?

Therefore after Nebuchadnezzar had died and the nobles of the realm came to the son to swear fealty to him as their king, he did not dare listen to them until they brought the corpse of his father, so that he could convince himself that the latter really was dead (Lev. R. xviii. 12).

How long did Nebuchadnezzar rule?

The next year Nebuchadnezzar became king of Babylon; and he ruled for forty-three years, or until 561. Jehoiakim served him for three years, and then rebelled. He doubtless incited the neighboring tribes ( ib. verse 2) to persecute Judah and bring its king to respect his oath.

How long did Nebuchadnezzar spend among the animals?

Among the Animals. According to another version, Nebuchadnezzar really spent seven years among the animals, during which time his son Evil-merodach ruled as king (see, however, Josephus, l.c. x. 10, § 6); but when he returned he cast this son into prison for life.

What would happen if Nebuchadnezzar did not overtake the messenger?

God, therefore, rewarded him with the rulership of the world; and if the angel Gabriel had not kept Nebuchadnezzar from overtaking the messenger, his power would have become still greater, and the Jews would in consequence have suffered still more at his hands. Compare Ahab, Son of Kolaiah, in Rabbinical Literature.

When did Zedekiah and his retinue leave the Jordan?

At the end of eighteen months (586) the wall yielded. Zedekiah and his retinue fled by night, but were overtaken in the plains of the Jordan. The king and his sons were brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah; the sons were slain, and the king's eyes bored out; and he was carried in chains to Babylon.

How long did it take to prove Jehoiachin's character?

Three months were sufficient to prove Jehoiachin's character (Ezek. xix. 5-9). He was taken with 10,000 of the best of the people of Jerusalem and carried to Babylon. His uncle Mattaniah, whose name was changed to Zedekiah, was put on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar in 597.

What did Nebuchadnezzar say to his servants?

Although a voice from heaven uttered for eighteen years these words in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar, "O wicked servant; go and destroy the house of your master, since his children no longer obey him," yet the king was afraid to obey the command, remembering the defeat which Sennacherib had suffered in a similar attempt.

What did Nebuchadnezzar do to the Babylonian empire?

With the help of his wife Amytis, he undertook the rebuilding and beautification of his hometown and capital city of Babylon. A spiritual man, he restored the pagan temples of Marduk and Nabs as well as many other temples and shrines.

How old was King Nebuchadnezzar when he died?

King Nebuchadnezzar died in August or September of BC 562 at 84 years old. Historical and biblical records reveal that King Nebuchadnezzar was an able but ruthless ruler who let nothing get in the way of his subduing peoples and conquering lands.

How did Nebuchadnezzar gain power?

While he was still crown prince, Nebuchadnezzar gained stature as a military commander by defeating the Egyptians under Pharaoh Neco at the Battle of Carchemish (2 King 24:7; 2 Chronicles 35:20; Jeremiah 46:2). During his reign, Nebuchadnezzar greatly expanded the Babylonian empire.

What does the name Nebuchadnezzar mean?

Nebuchadnezzar’s name means "may Nebo (or Nabu) protect the crown" and is sometimes translated as Nebuchadrezzar. He became an incredibly successful conqueror and builder. Thousands of bricks have been found in Iraq with his name stamped on them. While he was still crown prince, Nebuchadnezzar gained stature as a military commander by defeating ...

Why does the book of Daniel pull back the curtain?

The book of Daniel pulls back the curtain of time to show how God used Nebuchadnezzar to shape world history. Like many rulers, Nebuchadnezzar reveled in his power and preeminence, but in reality, he was merely an instrument in God's plan.

What did Daniel dream about?

Daniel explained a dream that predicted the king would go insane for seven years, live in the fields like an animal, with long hair and fingernails, and eat grass. A year later, as Nebuchadnezzar was boasting to himself, the dream came true. God humbled the arrogant ruler by turning him into a wild beast.

What was Nebuchadnezzar's name?

Nebuchadnezzar’s name means "may Nebo (or Nabu) protect ...

Nebuchadnezzar really lived

It's no exaggeration to say that the Neo-Babylonian warrior-king Nebuchadnezzar II was legendary. He ruled from 605 to 562 B.C., according to The Conversation. How far did his power stretch? Across Mesopotamia or the "Cradle of Civilization," nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

He ruled over two-thirds of Neo-Babylonian history

Not only did Nebuchadnezzar's reign change the shape, size, and look of Neo-Babylon, but it also stretched for an impressive 43 years (via the Louvre ). During this time, Nebuchadnezzar II focused on just about every aspect of Babylonian public life.

Nebuchadnezzar inspired Kanye West

On November 24, 2019, Kanye West's first operatic work, "Nebuchadnezzar," premiered at the Hollywood Bowl, according to Forbes. West set the work in the 6th century B.C, during the historical king's reign, and it's based on the Book of Daniel's account found in the Old Testament. What drew West to this biblical character?

His name lives on thousands of years later

Besides Kanye West, other musicians and composers have also gotten in on the Nebuchadnezzar action through musical compositions. This includes works by the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi and jazz pianist Marcus Roberts.

Nebuchadnezzar features prominently in the Bible

Nothing beats the fame of being mentioned in the Bible, and Nebuchadnezzar receives far more than a bit of lip service. One of the famed book's ultimate villains, he gets serious airtime in 2 Kings, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Daniel (via Bible Study Tools ).

Nebuchadnezzar's most legendary public works

Nebuchadnezzar amassed an impressive list of architectural achievements during his reign, according to The Conversation. They include the Ishtar Gate and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

He bore the yoke of boanthropy

Nebuchadnezzar's reported mental illness is worth exploring because it had a significant impact on his reign. According to the Book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar "was driven away from mankind.

What did Nebuchadnezzar eat?

And in another unforgettable story in Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is punished for his hubris and wanders the wilderness like a beast eating grass for seven years. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew ...

Where did Nabonidus live?

He then dwelled the next 10 years in the Arabian city of Tayma. "This sojourn of Nabonidus in Arabia for 10 years is clearly the background of the story of Nebuchadnezzar in the wilderness," says Frahm. There's even physical proof of the Nabonidus story also being tied to a Hebrew sage.

When did Nebuchadnezzar rule Babylon?

Nebuchadnezzar ruled Babylon around 600 B.C.E. The fragment turned out to be part of a " ration list " indicating how much oil and foodstuffs were given to King Jehoiachin and his exiled Judean court in Babylon. "That was a remarkable find," says Frahm.

How long was Jehoiachin locked up?

The quantities of the rations were sizable, which historians take as a sign that the exiled royal family were treated well in Babylon, and that Jehoiachin probably wasn't locked up for 37 years as related in 2 Kings 25:27. Advertisement.

How many times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth?

Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.". Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox.

What is the prayer of Nabonidus?

Four fragments discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls contained what's now known as the Prayer of Nabonidus: I was afflicted [with an evil ulcer] for seven years...and an exorcist pardoned my sins.

Who was the villain in the Bible?

The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II is one of the greatest villains of the Hebrew Bible (known to Christians as the Old Testament). In the biblical book 2 Kings, Nebuchadnezzar and his army lay siege to Jerusalem, loot gold and other treasures from the temple, abduct the Judean king and his court, and carry off 10,000 officers, ...

His Rise to Power

His Relationship with G‑d

His Immorality

Conquest of Israel and Judea

Crushing Response to Rebellion

The Destruction of The Holy Temple

Dreams, Idols, and Beasts

His Death

• Nebuchadnezzardied in the year 3364 (397 BCE) and was succeeded by his son Evil [pronounced Eh-vil] Merodach whose reign extended for 23 years. He wasfollowed by King Belshazzar who ascended the throne in 3387 (374 BCE). Afterhis demise and burial, Nebuchadnezzar’s corpse was exhumed and pierced by hisenemies’ swords,60fulfilling the prophecy of Is...

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"Servant of G‑D"

The Divine Presence in Exile

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