The Gentile Times Reconsidered Chronology Christ

348 THE GENTILE TIMES RECONSIDERED
E. The siege of Jerusalem, 589–587 B.C.E.
It has been debated whether the siege lasted for eighteen months,
or for about two-and-a-half years. 79 According to a Nisan-to-Nisan
regnal year the siege lasted for eighteen months (2 Kings 25:1–4),
but this conflicts with the statement in Ezekiel 33:21, which says
that an escapee from the destruction of Jerusalem reached Ezekiel
“in the twelfth year, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the
month.” This would mean that the escapee reached Ezekiel with
the message that the city had been taken about one-and-a-half years
after the destruction of Jerusalem. This seems incredible.
Therefore, it is often argued that Ezekiel 33:21 originally read
“eleventh year,” which is supported by the Syriac Version, the Greek
Septuagint Version, and a few Hebrew manuscripts. 80 But if a Tishrito-Tishri
regnal year is applied, the well-attested reading of “twelfth
year” may be retained, with the escapee reaching Ezekiel about six
months after the capture of Jerusalem, which seems more natural.
Further, it is shown by this reckoning that the siege lasted for
about two-and-a-half years, instead of eighteen months.
F. Jehoiachin’s 37th year of exile, 562/61 B.C.E.
In 2 Kings 25:27 (=Jeremiah 52:31), Jehoiachin’ s 37th year is
equated with the accession year of Evil-Merodach. Here we have
an excellent confirmation of the conclusion that the Judean kings
applied a Tishrito-Tishri regnal year.
Evil-Merodach ascended to the throne in the autumn of 562
B.C.E., and his accession-year ran to Nisan, 561 B.C.E.
Jehoiachin’s release from prison took place in the twelfth month of
Evil-Merodach’s accession year (Jeremiah 52:31), on the twentyfourth
day. This corresponded to March 30, 561 B.C.E. (Julian
calendar).
If Nisan-to-Nisan regnal years are applied to Jehoiachin’s exile,
his 37th year cannot be counted from Nisan, 561 B.C.E., as this
month fell after his release from prison. But if his 37th year of exile
is reckoned from Nisan, 562 B.C.E., in order to retain the
synchronism to Evil-Merodach’s accession year, his first year of
exile has to be reckoned from Nisan, 598, to Nisan, 597 B.C.E. Is
this likely?
79 “The Nations Shall Know that I Am Jehovah”—How? (Brooklyn, N.Y.: Watchtower
Bible and Tract Society, 1971), pp. 285–287, argues for a siege of eighteen months.
80 1bid., p. 286.