They were brought into subjection to Babylon, and scattered through the lands of the heathen. In affliction many renewed their faithfulness to His covenant. While they hung their harps upon the willows, and mourned for the holy temple that was laid waste, the light of truth shone out through them, and a knowledge of God was spread among the nations. The heathen systems of sacrifice were a perversion of the system that God had appointed; and many a sincere observer of heathen rites learned from the Hebrews the meaning of the service divinely ordained, and in faith grasped the promise of a Redeemer.

De blev underkuet af Babylon og adspredt i alle de hedenske lande. Under lidelserne var der mange, der fornyede deres trofasthed mod Guds pagt. Medens de hængte deres harper på piletræerne og sørgede over det hellige tempel, der var lagt øde, skinnede sandhedens lys frem iblandt dem, og kendskabet til Gud udbredtes blandt folkeslagene. Den hedenske offertjeneste var en forvanskning af den tjeneste, som Gud havde forordnet, og mangen oprigtig udøver af hedenske ritualer lærte af hebræerne betydningen af den tjeneste, som var indstiftet af Gud, og fattede ved troen forjættelsen om en Frelser.