Who was captured during the first deportation of Judah?

The correct answer is Daniel because he was one of the young men from the royal family and nobility of Judah who was taken captive during the first deportation to Babylon in 605 BC. This event occurred when King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and began to implement a policy of exiling the elite and educated citizens to Babylon. Daniel’s captivity is significant as it sets the stage for his role in the Babylonian court and the subsequent narratives found in the Book of Daniel, which reflect his unwavering faith and God’s sovereignty amidst foreign rule.

In contrast, Ezra and Nehemiah were not part of the initial deportation. They came onto the scene at later points in the history of the Israelites’ return from exile. Ezra, known for leading a group of exiles back to Jerusalem about 80 years after the first deportation, focused on reestablishing the law and worship in the temple. Nehemiah, who followed Ezra, was involved in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the exile.

Cyrus was a later figure, known for issuing a decree that allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple after the Babylonian captivity. His actions occurred decades after Daniel was taken captive, thus placing him outside the context of the