The term "Number of Exiles" refers to the various counts and records of the Israelites who were taken into captivity during significant periods of biblical history, primarily the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles. These events were pivotal in the history of Israel and Judah, marking times of judgment, repentance, and eventual restoration.

Assyrian Exile

The Assyrian exile primarily affected the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 722 B.C., the Assyrian Empire, under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II, conquered Samaria, the capital of Israel, leading to the deportation of many Israelites. The Bible records this event in 2 Kings 17:6: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes." The exact number of exiles is not specified in the biblical text, but it is understood to be significant, as the Assyrians employed a policy of mass deportation to weaken conquered peoples and prevent rebellion.

Babylonian Exile

The Babylonian exile was a more documented event, affecting the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This exile occurred in several stages, beginning with the first deportation in 605 B.C. during the reign of King Jehoiakim, when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took some of the nobility, including Daniel and his companions, to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-6). The second major deportation occurred in 597 B.C., during the reign of King Jehoiachin, as recorded in 2 Kings 24:14: "He carried into exile all Jerusalem: all the commanders and mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. Only the poorest people of the land were left."

The most significant deportation happened in 586 B.C., following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. 2 Kings 25:11-12 states, "Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile the rest of the people who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the multitude. But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields."

Return from Exile

The return from Babylonian exile began in 538 B.C. under the decree of Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, who conquered Babylon. The book of Ezra provides detailed accounts of the returnees. Ezra 2:64-65 records, "The whole assembly numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants, as well as their 200 male and female singers." This return was a fulfillment of prophetic promises, such as those found in Jeremiah 29:10: "For this is what the LORD says: 'When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.'"

Significance

The exiles and subsequent returns were not merely historical events but carried deep theological significance. They were seen as acts of divine judgment for the people's unfaithfulness and idolatry, as well as acts of mercy and restoration. The prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, provided spiritual insights into these events, emphasizing themes of repentance, hope, and the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises.