Ecbatana, known in modern times as Hamadan, is an ancient city located in present-day Iran. It served as the capital of the Median Empire and later became a significant city in the Achaemenid and Parthian empires. The city is mentioned in the Apocryphal books of the Bible, particularly in the context of the Jewish exile and return.

Historical Background

Ecbatana was founded by Deioces, the first king of the Medes, around the late 8th century BC. It was renowned for its impressive fortifications and palatial structures. The city was strategically located on the Silk Road, which contributed to its prosperity and cultural significance. Ecbatana became a summer residence for Persian kings due to its favorable climate and scenic beauty.

Biblical References

While Ecbatana is not mentioned in the canonical books of the Protestant Bible, it appears in the Apocryphal books, which are included in the Septuagint and the Catholic and Orthodox canons. The Book of Tobit, for instance, references Ecbatana as a place where significant events occur. Tobit 1:14 mentions, "And I went into Media and left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabri, in the city of Rages of Media." Although Ecbatana is not directly named in this verse, it is within the region of Media, where the narrative unfolds.

In the Book of Judith, Ecbatana is mentioned as the city where King Arphaxad reigned before being defeated by Nebuchadnezzar (Judith 1:1). This account, while not part of the Protestant canon, provides insight into the historical and geopolitical context of the region during the time of the Jewish exile.

Archaeological and Historical Significance

Ecbatana's archaeological remains reveal a city of great wealth and architectural sophistication. Excavations have uncovered remnants of its ancient walls and palaces, which align with historical descriptions of its grandeur. The city's strategic importance is underscored by its repeated mention in historical records as a royal residence and administrative center.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, Ecbatana's role in the Apocryphal books highlights the broader narrative of God's providence and protection over His people during times of exile and foreign domination. The city's mention in these texts serves as a backdrop for accounts of faith, resilience, and divine intervention, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

Cultural and Religious Context

Ecbatana was a melting pot of cultures and religions, reflecting the diverse influences of the empires that controlled it. This diversity is evident in the syncretism observed in the religious practices of the region. For the Jewish exiles, Ecbatana represented both a place of refuge and a reminder of their displacement, underscoring the tension between assimilation and maintaining their distinct identity as God's chosen people.

In summary, Ecbatana holds a place of historical and theological interest within the broader biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Jewish diaspora and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history.(Ezra 6:2 marg.). (see ACHMETHA.) ECBATANA

ek-bat'-a-na

(Ezra 6:2 margin).

See ACHMETHA.

307. Achmetha -- the capital of Media
... 306, 307. Achmetha. 308 . the capital of Media. Transliteration: Achmetha
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-me-thaw') Short Definition: Ecbatana. ...
/hebrew/307.htm - 6k

But Gamala Persevered in Its Allegiance to the Romans...
... He had a mind also to join with the Trachonites in Batanea, and to take up arms
and make an assault upon the Babylonian Jews that were at Ecbatana; for that ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 11 but gamala persevered.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Issus, the siege of Tyre and of Gaza, the conquest of Egypt, the foundation of
Alexandria"Arbela: the conquest of Babylon, Susa, and Ecbatana"The death of ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Last years of Sennacherib"New races appear upon the scene"The Medes: Deiokes and
the foundation of Ecbatana, the Bit-Dayaukku and their origin"The races ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria.htm

The Opinions of the Philosophers Respecting God.
... introduced by Artaxerxes, the son of Darius, and father of Ochus, who first set
up the image of Aphrodite Anaitis at Babylon and Susa; and Ecbatana set the ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter v the opinions of the.htm

A Description of the Sea-Coast, Out of Pliny and Strabo.
... Rains of some cities. Dorum. Sycaminum. The promontory Carmel: and, in the mountain,
a town of the same name, heretofore called Ecbatana. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 10 a description of.htm

Of the Death of the Emperor Julian in Persia.
... he would die. So it befell with Cambyses at Ecbatana (Her. iii. 64), Alexander
King of Epirus at the Acheron (Livy viii. 24) and ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xx of the death of.htm

Ezra-Nehemiah
... The Jews had appealed to the decree of Cyrus granting them permission to build,
and this decree was found, after a search, at Ecbatana. ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezra-nehemiah.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... Whereupon a book was found at Ecbatana, in the tower that was in Media, wherein
was written as follows: "Cyrus the king, in the first year of his reign ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

The Pride of Amaryllis
... man. "Rome, the ruler of nations humbled! Conquest from Germany to the
First Cataract, from Gaul to the dry rocks of Ecbatana! A ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xiv the pride of.htm

Books not Included in the Hebrew Canon.
... Tobeit (-bit, -bet), Tobeith, Tobias, liber Tobiae, utriusque Tobiae), a tale of
family life, the scene of which is laid at Nineveh and Ecbatana, the hero ...
/.../chapter iii books not included.htm

Ecbatana (1 Occurrence)
... (see ACHMETHA.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ECBATANA. ek-bat'-a-na (Ezra
6:2 margin). See ACHMETHA. Multi-Version Concordance Ecbatana (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/ecbatana.htm - 7k

Achmetha (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Ezra 6:2), called Ecbatana by classical writers,
the capital of northern Media. Here was the palace which ...
/a/achmetha.htm - 10k

Media (14 Occurrences)
... The decree of Cyrus, Ezra informs us (6:2-5), was found in "the palace that is in
the province of the Medes," Achmetha or Ecbatana of the Greeks, which is the ...
/m/media.htm - 15k

Medes (15 Occurrences)
... two years later. After his release, probably, Deiokes fortified Ecbatana
(formerly Ellippi) and made it his capital. It has been ...
/m/medes.htm - 18k

Cyrus (20 Occurrences)
... This decree was discovered "at Achmetha [RV marg., "Ecbatana"], in the palace that
is in the province of the Medes" (Ezra 6:2). A chronicle drawn up just after ...
/c/cyrus.htm - 39k

Tobit
... The book tells of two Jewish families, living, one at Nineveh, the other at Ecbatana,
both of which had fallen into great trouble, but at length recovered ...
/t/tobit.htm - 34k

Anaharath (1 Occurrence)
... The book tells of two Jewish families, living, one at Nineveh, the other at Ecbatana,
both of which had fallen into great trouble, but at length recovered ...
/a/anaharath.htm - 87k

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... At the close of this important period of his public life, he returned to Persia
to the service of his royal master at Shushan or Ecbatana. ...
/n/nehemiah.htm - 24k

Rages (5 Occurrences)
... I, 15, Ragha, city and province; perhaps, "the excellent"): In Eastern Media, one
forced march from Caspian Gates, 11 days' journey from Ecbatana, 5 1/2 miles ...
/r/rages.htm - 10k

Raphael
... ra'-a-el, ra'-fa-el (repha'el, from rapha' 'el, "God has healed"; Rhaphael): The
name of the angel who, as Azarias, guides Tobias to ECBATANA and RAGES (which ...
/r/raphael.htm - 8k

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