<P> Despite warnings by Jeremiah and others of the pro-Babylonian party , Zedekiah revolted against Babylon and entered into an alliance with Pharaoh Hophra . Nebuchadnezzar returned , defeated the Egyptians , and again besieged Jerusalem , resulting in the city 's destruction in 587 BCE . Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city wall and the Temple , together with the houses of the most important citizens . Zedekiah and his sons were captured , the sons were executed in front of Zedekiah , who was then blinded and taken to Babylon with many others ( Jer 52 : 10 -- 11 ) . Judah became a Babylonian province , called Yehud , putting an end to the independent Kingdom of Judah . ( Because of the missing years in the Jewish calendar , rabbinic sources place the date of the destruction of the First Temple at 3338 HC ( 423 BCE ) or 3358 HC ( 403 BCE ) ) . </P>
who destroyed the first temple and exiled the two tribes of judah to babylon
Nebuchadnezzar