When the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, they killed many and others they took as captives to Babylon. Jeremiah clearly prophesied that the Jews would be captives in Babylon for seventy years and then they would return to their lands in and around Jerusalem, For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place (Jer 29:10).