Topical Bible: Babylon: Empire of Conquest of Egypt By

◄ Babylon: Empire of Conquest of Egypt By ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Babylon, an ancient Mesopotamian empire, is a significant entity in biblical history, particularly noted for its conquests and interactions with the nations surrounding Israel. One of the notable military campaigns of Babylon was its conquest of Egypt, an event that holds considerable importance in the biblical narrative and prophetic literature.

Historical Context

The Babylonian Empire rose to prominence under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from 605 to 562 BC. This period marked the height of Babylon's power and influence in the ancient Near East. The empire's expansionist policies led to numerous military campaigns, including the conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile of the Jewish people.

Conquest of Egypt

The conquest of Egypt by Babylon is a significant event that is alluded to in the Bible. The prophet Jeremiah, who ministered during the time of Babylon's ascendancy, prophesied about Babylon's dominance over Egypt. In Jeremiah 46:13-26, the prophet delivers a message concerning the impending defeat of Egypt at the hands of Babylon. The prophecy specifically mentions Nebuchadnezzar as the instrument of God's judgment against Egypt: "This is the word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to attack Egypt" (Jeremiah 46:13).

The historical backdrop to this prophecy involves the geopolitical struggles between Babylon and Egypt. After the fall of Assyria, Egypt sought to assert its influence over the region, often clashing with Babylonian interests. The decisive confrontation occurred at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, where Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptian forces, effectively ending Egyptian dominance in the region and paving the way for Babylonian control.

Biblical Significance

The conquest of Egypt by Babylon is not merely a historical footnote but carries theological significance within the biblical narrative. It serves as a demonstration of God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to use empires as instruments of His divine will. The prophets, including Jeremiah and Ezekiel, frequently highlight Babylon's role as an agent of God's judgment, not only against Israel but also against other nations, including Egypt.

Ezekiel also prophesies about the fall of Egypt to Babylon in Ezekiel 29:19-20: "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: 'I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth. He will loot and plunder the land as wages for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt as his reward for which he labored, because they worked for Me,' declares the Lord GOD" . This passage underscores the notion that Babylon's conquests were part of a divine plan, with Nebuchadnezzar acting as God's servant to execute judgment.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Lessons

The biblical accounts of Babylon's conquest of Egypt serve as a fulfillment of prophetic words and a testament to the reliability of God's promises. The events illustrate the transient nature of earthly powers and the ultimate authority of God over the affairs of nations. For the people of Israel, these prophecies and their fulfillment were a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for repentance and faithfulness to God.

In summary, the Babylonian conquest of Egypt is a pivotal event in biblical history, reflecting the broader themes of divine judgment, the rise and fall of empires, and the fulfillment of prophetic declarations. Through these historical occurrences, the Bible communicates enduring truths about God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes in history.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 24:7
And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9
... THE IRANIAN CONQUEST. THE IRANIAN RELIGIONS -- CYRUS IN LYDIA AND AT BABYLON;
CAMBYSES IN EGYPT -- DARIUS AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE EMPIRE. ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 9/title page.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... his unfortunate wars in the Delta, the conquest of Egypt (342) and the reconstitution
of the empire. ... Semitic states decayed and decaying"Babylon in its ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7
... Shamash-mudammiq; his victories over Babylon; Tukulti-ninip ... (890-885 BC) -- The empire
at the ... condition of Assyria's neighbours, methods of Assyrian conquest. ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 7/title page.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... the Nile: for the first Babylonian empire without doubt ... Chaldaea over Syria and of
its conquest has been ... names in ancient history, that of Babylon is perhaps ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... THE MEDES AND CIMMERIANS: LYDIA"THE CONQUEST OF EGYPT ... throne, and division of the
Assyrian empire between Assur ... first time"Shamash-shumukin at Babylon; is at ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria.htm

Babylon.
... Babylon became the head of the Assyrian Empire, and Nebuchadnezzar ... Great Babylon
was the head, soon to give way ... came home puffed up with the pride of conquest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

The Revolt of Babylon.
... When Cyrus made this conquest of Babylon, he found the ... time before the affairs of
the empire demanding attention ... came at last to Susa that Babylon had openly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... the following words: "Nabonidus, King of Babylon, with the ... result of the enfeebled
condition of the empire. ... exhausted by the Assyrian conquest, and depopulated ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Daniel
... there any room in this period of the history (538 BC) for "Darius the Mede," v.31;
the conquest of Babylon threw the Babylonian empire immediately into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The Kassites poured into the Babylonian plain, and Kassite kings ruled at Babylon
for 576 ... The Kassite conquest destroyed the Babylonian empire; Canaan was ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm