In what year did the city of Jerusalem fall?

The city of Jerusalem fell in 586 BC during the Babylonian siege, which resulted in the destruction of the First Temple and the exile of many of its inhabitants. This event is a significant turning point in Jewish history, marking the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity.

While there were earlier stages of conflict and siege leading up to the eventual fall, the specific date of 586 BC is most widely accepted by historians and biblical scholars as the year that Jerusalem was overtaken. This date aligns with the accounts found in the historical books of the Old Testament, such as 2 Kings and Jeremiah, which detail the Babylonian conquest and the subsequent exile.

The other years listed, such as 587 BC and 588 BC, are often debated in scholarly circles; however, they do not align with the predominant historical consensus regarding the fall of Jerusalem. The year 589 BC also does not correspond to established timelines related to the siege and conquest. Therefore, 586 BC is recognized as the definitive date for the fall of Jerusalem.