In the 6th century BCE a large portion of the Jewish population was relocated from Jerusalem to Babylon. While in exile they codified Jewish customs, religion, and history.

Sources and Affiliate Links

Testament: The Bible and History, by John Romer https://amzn.to/3eFlf57

Ancient Israel: What do we Know and How do we Know It?, by Lester L. Grabbe https://amzn.to/3eyF0uP

A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars, Walter C. Kaiser https://amzn.to/3ezBXTa

The Old Testament Documents: Are They Reliable & Relevant?, Walter C. Kaiser https://amzn.to/2ZPLm4S

The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of its Sacred Texts, by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman https://amzn.to/2BhQVPu