What is the longest period of Time Israel as country existed without being colonized by another country?

[Holy Universe]

I heard someone say that Israel never existed longer than 80 years without being conquered by some degree or dispersed. Is this true?

Also, how many times was Israel gathered and separated?

 

[Ophiolite]

I found this an interesting question. As I have the most limited grasp of that history, knowing only some of the Biblical stories, a smattering about the crusades, an awareness of the Ottoman Empire, and something a bit more substantive about the establishment and troubles of the modern state, I put your question to ChatGpt. Keep in mind ChatGpt can get things wrong - sometimes very wrong - but I thought this might prompt clarification from those members who do have a proper grounding in the topic.

<<Start of ChatGpt response:

The history of Israel and the Jewish people is complex and spans thousands of years. The assertion that Israel never existed longer than 80 years without being conquered or dispersed is an oversimplification but does reflect periods of significant upheaval and foreign domination in the region's history. Here is a more nuanced look at the history of Israel, focusing on periods of conquest, dispersion, and regathering:

Ancient Israel​

1. Unified Kingdom (circa 1020–931 BCE)
   • Under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, Israel was a united kingdom.
   • After Solomon’s death, the kingdom split into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
2. Kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom)
   • Existed from circa 931 BCE until its conquest by the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE.
   • The ten northern tribes were dispersed (the so-called Lost Tribes of Israel).
3. Kingdom of Judah (Southern Kingdom)
   • Existed from circa 931 BCE until its conquest by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE.
   • The First Temple was destroyed, and many inhabitants were exiled to Babylon (Babylonian Exile).

Persian Period and Return​

1. Persian Period (circa 538–332 BCE)
   • After the fall of Babylon to the Persians, Jews were allowed to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (Second Temple period begins).
   • This period marked the first major return from exile.

Hellenistic and Roman Periods​

1. Hellenistic Period (332–63 BCE)
   • Following Alexander the Great’s conquests, the region came under Hellenistic rule.
   • The Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BCE) led to a brief period of Jewish independence under the Hasmonean dynasty (140–63 BCE).
2. Roman Period (63 BCE – 324 CE)
   • Pompey the Great conquered Jerusalem in 63 BCE, making it part of the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire.
   • The Great Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE) and Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE) led to massive destruction and dispersion of Jews.

Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader Periods​

1. Byzantine Period (324–638 CE)
   • The region remained under Byzantine (Eastern Roman) control until the Muslim conquests.
2. Islamic Period (638–1099 CE)
   • Conquered by Arab Muslim armies, leading to Islamic rule under various caliphates.
3. Crusader and Mamluk Periods (1099–1517 CE)
   • The Crusaders established the Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099–1291 CE).
   • Later, the region was controlled by the Mamluks.

Ottoman Period and British Mandate​

1. Ottoman Period (1517–1917 CE)
   • The region was part of the Ottoman Empire for four centuries.
2. British Mandate (1917–1948 CE)
   • Following World War I, the British took control under a League of Nations mandate.

Modern Israel​

1. Modern State of Israel (1948–present)
   • Established in 1948, Israel has faced various conflicts but remains an independent state.

Summary of Major Gatherings and Separations​

1. Gathering: Return from Babylonian Exile (circa 538 BCE).
2. Separation: Conquests by Assyrians (722 BCE) and Babylonians (586 BCE).
3. Gathering: Rebuilding of the Second Temple (circa 515 BCE).
4. Separation: Roman conquests and revolts (70 CE, 135 CE).
5. Modern Gathering: Establishment of the State of Israel (1948).

Thus, while Israel and the Jewish people have experienced multiple periods of conquest, exile, and regathering, the history is more complex than a simple 80-year cycle. The periods of independence, conquest, and diaspora are interwoven with the broader historical context of the region.

>> End of ChatGpt response.

 

[essentialsaltes]

I would have guessed the longest period as 'its own country' was the time of the ancient kings, and that seems to be born out by chatGPT, so roughly 300 years from the time of David to the Babylonian Exile.

 

[Zaha Torte]

I would have guessed the longest period as 'its own country' was the time of the ancient kings, and that seems to be born out by chatGPT, so roughly 300 years from the time of David to the Babylonian Exile.

Why not include the reign of the Judges as well?

 

[Zaha Torte]

I heard someone say that Israel never existed longer than 80 years without being conquered by some degree or dispersed. Is this true?

Also, how many times was Israel gathered and separated?

The Lord often had to keep His promises about punishing Israel for not keeping His Law.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Why not include the reign of the Judges as well?

Mainly because the AI response didn't include it. But if that's before Israel was 'unified' maybe it doesn't count as 'a country'.

 

[Holy Universe]

Hey guys, it turns out 80 years is a thing. It's called the 8 decade curse of Israel or 80 year curse. Israel as a nation seems to only have been intact and not separated between Judah, Israel, etc or under any kind of vassal arrangement for under 80 years. The prophetic significance of this could be huge if they are foreshadows of Christ second coming/ Jacob's trouble. We know the bible often does foreshadowing, like Joseph or Moses being a foreshadow of Christ. It's in intriguing idea.