Topical Bible: Babylon: City of Capital of the Kingdom of Babylon

◄ Babylon: City of Capital of the Kingdom of Babylon ►

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Introduction:
Babylon, an ancient city located in Mesopotamia, is one of the most significant cities mentioned in the Bible. It served as the capital of the Kingdom of Babylon and is renowned for its grandeur, wealth, and pivotal role in biblical history. Babylon is often depicted as a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God, as well as a place of exile and judgment.

Historical Background:
Babylon was situated on the Euphrates River, in what is now modern-day Iraq. It rose to prominence under the rule of Hammurabi in the 18th century BC and reached its zenith during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BC. The city was famous for its impressive architecture, including the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the massive walls that surrounded it.

Biblical Significance:
Babylon holds a prominent place in biblical narratives, particularly in the Old Testament. It is first mentioned in Genesis 10:10 as part of Nimrod's kingdom: "The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." The Tower of Babel, an early symbol of human ambition and defiance, is associated with Babylon (Genesis 11:1-9).

Exile and Prophecy:
Babylon is most notably recognized for its role in the Babylonian Exile. In 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and carried the Israelites into captivity. This event is a pivotal moment in Jewish history and is recounted in 2 Kings 25 and 2 Chronicles 36. The prophet Jeremiah warned of Babylon's rise and the impending judgment on Judah, stating, "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11).

The prophets Isaiah and Daniel also spoke extensively about Babylon. Isaiah prophesied its eventual downfall, declaring, "Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah" (Isaiah 13:19). Daniel, taken captive to Babylon, rose to prominence in the royal court and interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, which foretold the rise and fall of empires, including Babylon itself (Daniel 2).

Symbolism in Revelation:
In the New Testament, Babylon is used symbolically in the Book of Revelation to represent the epitome of worldly power and corruption. Revelation 17-18 describes "Babylon the Great" as a harlot and a city of great wealth and immorality, destined for divine judgment. Revelation 18:2 proclaims, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit."

Legacy:
Babylon's legacy in the Bible is multifaceted. It serves as a historical backdrop for God's dealings with His people, a symbol of human pride and rebellion, and a prophetic image of ultimate judgment. The city's rise and fall remind believers of the transient nature of earthly power and the sovereignty of God over the nations.

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Daniel 4:30
The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?
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2 Kings 25:13
And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brazen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.
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2 Chronicles 36:6,7,10,18,20
Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
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Library

Carried Captive into Babylon
... abandoned for a time their siege of the Judean capital. ... down like a resistless avalanche
and devastated the city. ... of the realm, were taken to Babylon and there ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 37 carried captive into.htm

We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ...
... king of Shinar." It would appear from several scriptures that "the land of Chaldea" "
the capital of which was the city of Babylon " is but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/we arrive now at a.htm

In the Last Chapter we Confined Ourself to the Old Testament, in ...
... printing (on their own authority) the word "mystery" in large capital letters, thus ...
But if so, why connect her so intimately with Babylon, the great city? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the last chapter we.htm

Chapter x
... But similarly as in the case of Babylon there are sister ... a complex of cities around
which the kingdom grows ... to have been an old name of the capital city of, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

True Greatness
... gave much thought to the strengthening and beautifying of his capital, until at
length the city of Babylon became the chief glory of his kingdom, "the golden ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 42 true greatness.htm

Micah
... with fiery earnestness the sins of the capital cities, Samaria in ... 701 BC"the year
in which the city was saved ... 1] and the prophecy of exile to Babylon, iv.10 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/micah.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... As he nears the capital, "one post shall run to meet another, and one messenger
to meet another, to show the King of Babylon that his city is taken at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... then follows the actual coming of our Lord Jesus, the setting up of the kingdom,
and subsequent ... It centres in "the great city," Babylon, the capital of the ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

The Restoration.
... of the Medes and Babylonians captured Ninevah her capital (BC607 ... and he may have
gone back to Babylon and returned ... to repair the wall of the city and dedicate ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvi the restoration.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... conqueror into the heart of the Babylonian capital by way ... before his birth, the manner
in which Babylon should be ... all his ways: he shall build My city, and he ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm