ירמיהו, פרק נ״ב, פסוק ל׳

The downfall of Judah did not happen in a single, sudden event. Instead, the destruction and subsequent exile unfolded in a series of calculated waves. The final stage of this process occurred during a later military campaign led by Nebuchadnezzar. Drawing on the ancient historical work Seder Olam, classical commentators [רש״י, רד״ק ומצודת דוד] explain that this took place during the year Nebuchadnezzar conquered the city of Tyre. As his army swept through the surrounding regions, they captured the Jewish refugees who had previously fled and sought safety in neighboring areas like Ammon, Moab, and other parts of the land of Israel. This specific sweep resulted in the capture and exile of seven hundred and forty-five individuals.

A final tally of four thousand six hundred exiles is ultimately recorded. Commentators agree that this number does not represent just the last group, but rather serves as a comprehensive sum of all three distinct waves of exile from Judah [רד״ק ומצודת דוד]. This relatively small total offers a clear window into the true nature of the Babylonian strategy. Rather than carrying out a mass deportation of the entire population, the Babylonians executed a highly selective and calculated removal of specific groups.

The empire specifically targeted the upper classes and skilled artisans [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They focused heavily on professions that held military and political value, such as blacksmiths and coppersmiths. By systematically removing the societal elite and anyone capable of manufacturing weapons, the Babylonians achieved a clear strategic goal. They ensured that the people left behind in the land were stripped of both leadership and military resources, leaving them completely unable and unwilling to mount any future rebellion.