Nebuchadnezzar wrested from Egypt the empire of western Asia. Verses 12–17 (cf. 2:6–20) of the same chapter reflect the time after 612 BC, when the might and brutality of the Babylonians had become common knowledge to the prophet. In addition, the temple was still standing (2:20) and musical services were being conducted in it (3:19). From this last point some critics have deduced that the prophecy must have been written either during Manasseh’s repentance and the ensuing restoration of divine worship