The carrying away into Babylon did not take place in a single year. As early as 605 B.C., the third year of Jehoiakim, a number of Hebrews were taken captive (Dan. 1:1-7). Other captivities took place in 598, the 7th year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 52:28); in 597, the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:12-16); in 587, the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 52:29); in 586, the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar, the great captivity (2 Kings 25:8-11; Jer. 52:12, 15); and again in 582, the 23d year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 52:30).