Introduction

Babylon, an ancient city located in Mesopotamia, holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy. It is often depicted as a symbol of human pride, idolatry, and opposition to God. The city is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, both in historical contexts and prophetic visions. Babylon's rise and fall serve as a powerful narrative of divine judgment and redemption.

Historical Context

Babylon was one of the most influential cities of the ancient world, known for its impressive architecture, including the famed Hanging Gardens, and its role as a center of culture and power. The city reached its zenith under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar II, who is prominently featured in the Book of Daniel. Babylon's historical significance is intertwined with its spiritual symbolism, as it represents the epitome of human achievement apart from God.

Prophecies Concerning Babylon

1. Isaiah's Prophecies: The prophet Isaiah foretold the downfall of Babylon long before its actual destruction. In Isaiah 13:19, the city is described as "the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans," yet it is destined to become "like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them." Isaiah 47 further portrays Babylon as a proud and arrogant city that will be humbled by divine judgment.

2. Jeremiah's Warnings: Jeremiah also prophesied against Babylon, emphasizing its impending doom. In Jeremiah 50:13, the prophet declares, "Because of the wrath of the LORD, she will not be inhabited but will become a complete desolation." Jeremiah 51 continues this theme, predicting Babylon's fall and the liberation of God's people from captivity.

3. Daniel's Visions: The Book of Daniel provides a unique perspective on Babylon through the experiences of Daniel and his companions during their exile. Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2, revealing the transient nature of earthly kingdoms, including Babylon. In Daniel 5, the writing on the wall foretells the immediate fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians.

4. Revelation's Symbolism: In the New Testament, Babylon is used symbolically in the Book of Revelation to represent the ultimate opposition to God and His people. Revelation 17 and 18 describe "Babylon the Great" as a harlot and a city of great wealth and corruption, destined for sudden and complete destruction. Revelation 18:2 proclaims, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!"

Theological Significance

Babylon's portrayal in the Bible serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, idolatry, and rebellion against God. It is a reminder of the transient nature of human power and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all nations. The prophecies concerning Babylon underscore the theme of divine justice and the hope of deliverance for God's people.

Conclusion

The city of Babylon, both in its historical reality and its prophetic symbolism, stands as a testament to the enduring truths of Scripture. Its account is woven throughout the Bible, illustrating the consequences of defying God and the certainty of His promises.Psalm 87:4
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
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Psalm 137:8,9
O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards you as you have served us.
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Isaiah 13:1
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
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Isaiah 14:4-26
That you shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How has the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
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Isaiah 21:1-10
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.
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Isaiah 46:1,2
Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols were on the beasts, and on the cattle: your carriages were heavy laden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
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Isaiah 47:1
Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for you shall no more be called tender and delicate.
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Isaiah 48:14,20
All you, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them has declared these things? The LORD has loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
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Jeremiah 21:4-10
Thus said the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, with which you fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the middle of this city.
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Jeremiah 25:12-14
And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, said the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
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Jeremiah 27:1-11
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
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Jeremiah 28:14
For thus said the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.
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Jeremiah 32:28
Therefore thus said the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
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Jeremiah 34:2,3
Thus said the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus said the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:
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Jeremiah 42:11,12
Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; be not afraid of him, said the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
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Jeremiah 43:1
And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking to all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words,
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Jeremiah 46:13-26
The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.
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Jeremiah 49:28-30
Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus said the LORD; Arise you, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.
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Jeremiah 50:1
The word that the LORD spoke against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.
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Jeremiah 51:1
Thus said the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the middle of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;
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Ezekiel 21:19
Also, you son of man, appoint you two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both two shall come forth out of one land: and choose you a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.
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Ezekiel 26:1
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
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Ezekiel 29:17-20
And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
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Ezekiel 30:10
Thus said the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.
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Ezekiel 32:11
For thus said the Lord GOD; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come on you.
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Daniel 2:21-38
And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
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Daniel 4:10-26
Thus were the visions of my head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the middle of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
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Daniel 5:25-29
And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
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Daniel 7:1
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
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Habakkuk 1:5-11
Behold you among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which you will not believe, though it be told you.
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Zechariah 2:7-9
Deliver yourself, O Zion, that dwell with the daughter of Babylon.
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Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ...
... as history informs us; but when Babylon was taken ... fight against his nation, and take
their city by force ... him, insomuch that such as read his prophecies, and see ...
/.../the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning nebuchadnezzar and.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... with the prophecy outlining the manner of Babylon's capture and ... all his ways: he
shall build My city, and he ... Nor were these the only prophecies upon which the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

Mysterious Prophecies Revealed.
... Mysterious Prophecies Revealed. ... Alas, alas that great city, that was ... her, and his
call to his people is to "come out of her." "Flee out of Babylon, and deliver ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /mysterious prophecies revealed.htm

Isaiah's Prophecies Considered the virginity of Christ's Mother a ...
... Other Prophecies Also Signs. ... [3285] By a similar usage Babylon also in our (St.)
John is a figure of the city of Rome, as being like (Babylon) great and ...
/.../chapter xiii isaiahs prophecies considered the.htm

Approaching Doom
... hath burned." The record of the prophecies concerning Judah and ... ruler, were once
more besieging the fated city. ... carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

Carried Captive into Babylon
... like a resistless avalanche and devastated the city. ... it is recorded: "Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon gave charge ... The prophecies of doom pronounced by Jeremiah ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 37 carried captive into.htm

It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... earth, will then be known as "the city of the ... we have to separate between those
prophecies which concern ... The golden head (Babylon), the silver breast and arms ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm

Jeremiah
... the nations which are to be punished by Babylon herself, xxv ... gather up the prophecies
concerning the restoration. ... dealing with the siege of the city and events ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jeremiah.htm

Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a ...
... They had the like governor or governors allowed them at Babylon under their ... See Literal
Accomplishment of Prophecies, p.77. [13] That the city Emmaus, or ...
/.../chapter 11 concerning jonathan one.htm

Isaiah
... lacking the vigour of Isaiah's acknowledged prophecies, the passage ... at a time when
Assyria, not Babylon, was the enemy. ... of an arduous siege for the city, xxix.1 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm

Was Daniel made a eunuch in Babylon? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Zedekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Babylon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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