Herod's Capture of Jerusalem

Very High Level 1

Fact

Herod captured Jerusalem in 36 BC on the Day of Atonement

Evidence

• Josephus: 'Herod took Jerusalem on the very same day… after twenty-seven years' (from Pompey's capture)

• Pompey captured Jerusalem in 63 BC on Day of Atonement

• 63 BC - 27 years = 36 BC (counting inclusively: 36 BC)

• Both captures on Day of Atonement - Josephus emphasizes 'to the day'

• Josephus: 'This calamity befell Jerusalem in a sabbatical year'

• Spring 35 BC would be the 7th year of sabbatical cycle (from 1406 BC)

Supporting Facts

Pompey's Capture of Jerusalem Very High

Read in Context

• The Reign of Herod

  "Herod took Jerusalem on the very same day... after twenty-seven years..."

Depends On

Pompey's Capture of Jerusalem Very High

Required By

Herod's Death Very High

Josephus provides precise dating for Herod's capture of Jerusalem, linking it to Pompey's capture exactly 27 years earlier. This is the "most emphatic marker" for Herod's chronology.