Daniel 1:1 and Jehoiakim's Three Years of Servitude

Abstract

"Scholars have identified three problems with the statement in Dan 1: 1-2 concerning a siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in the third year of Jehoiakirn. First, some claim that it contradicts the statement in Jer 25: 1 that Nebuchadnezzar did not become king until the fourth year of Jehoiakim.' Second, the third year of Jehoiakim was 606 B.c., during which time Crown Prince Nebuchadnezzar was not involved in any campaigns in Judah.2 Finally, the only clearly attested sieges of Jerusalem which took place near the time of Jehoiakim were perhaps the incursions mentioned in 2 Kgs 242 and the siege which commenced shortly after his death during the brief reign of Jehoiachin (2 Kgs 24: 10- 16)"