The Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged… He burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire. And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around (2 Kings 24:10-25:10).
The Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle is one of a series of ancient Babylonian tablets describing Babylon’s history. Labeled as tablet ABC5, this particular narrative provides a record through Nebuchadnezzar’s eleventh year including his accession to throne, campaigns against Egypt, a revolt in Babylonia, and the siege of Jerusalem. The Chronicle does not refer to Jerusalem by name, but calls it “the city of Iaahudu” interpreted as a chief city of Judah.
Translation of the section of interest is as follows:
“In the seventh year (of Nebuchadnezzar) in the month Chislev the king of Babylon assembled his army, and after he had invaded the land of Hatti (Syria/Palestine) he laid siege to the city of Judah. On the second day of the month of Adar he conquered the city and took the king prisoner. He installed in his place a king of his own choice, and after he had received rich tribute, he sent forth to Babylon.”