The captivity

The captivity of Judah and Israel

Among the Books of the Prophets, half of the prophets who ministered before the captivity prophesy either the captivity of Judah (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Zephaniah) or Israel (Hosea, Amos) or both (Isaiah, Micah).

Bring back captivity

“Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name…Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen.” (Ezek 39:25,28)

“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat (約沙法谷), and will plead with them there (在那裡施行審判) for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” (Joel 3:1)

“I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.” (Amos 9:14-15)

“For now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.” (Micah 4:10)

“The Lord their God shall visit (眷顧) them, and turn away their captivity (使他們被擄的人歸回).” (Zeph 2:7)

“Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth (NRSV, 'save the lame'), and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes (使你們被擄之人歸回的時候), saith the Lord.” (Zeph 3:19-20)