Topical Encyclopedia Babylon, an ancient city-state and empire, 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 Bible presents Babylon as both a literal empire and a metaphorical representation of worldly power and corruption.Historical Context Babylon was located in Mesopotamia, in what is now modern-day Iraq. It rose to prominence under the rule of King Hammurabi in the 18th century BC and later became the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BC. This empire is most famously known for the conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile of the Jewish people. Biblical References 1. Genesis and the Tower of Babel: The origins of Babylon are linked to the Tower of Babel narrative in Genesis 11:1-9. The people sought to build a tower reaching the heavens, symbolizing human arrogance and defiance against God. In response, God confused their language and scattered them across the earth. 2. The Babylonian Exile: Babylon's conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC are pivotal events in the Old Testament. The prophet Jeremiah warned of this impending judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 25:11-12 : "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. But when the seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation." 3. Prophetic Writings: The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel provide extensive commentary on Babylon's role in God's plan. Isaiah 13-14 and Jeremiah 50-51 prophesy Babylon's eventual downfall, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations. Daniel, who lived during the Babylonian captivity, interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, revealing God's control over empires (Daniel 2:37-38): "You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory." 4. Symbolism in Revelation: In the New Testament, Babylon is used symbolically in the Book of Revelation to represent the ultimate embodiment of worldly opposition to God. 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 declares, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a hideout for every unclean and detestable bird." Theological Significance Babylon serves as a powerful symbol of human rebellion against God throughout Scripture. It represents the allure of worldly power, wealth, and idolatry, standing in stark contrast to the kingdom of God. The biblical narrative of Babylon underscores the themes of divine judgment, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over earthly empires. Nave's Topical Index Esther 3:7-15In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. Nave's Topical Index Daniel 3:1 Library Book 15 Footnotes The End of Cambyses. Jews. True Greatness Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy. The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a ... The Unclean Spirits. The Holy See and the Wandering of the Nations. Book 13 Footnotes The Apostasy. Resources Who was Belshazzar? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Jehoiachin in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Chaldeans in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Babylon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Babylon was Called: Desert of the Sea Babylon was Called: Lady of Kingdoms Babylon was Called: Land of Merathaim Babylon was Called: Land of Shinar Babylon was Called: Land of the Chaldeans Babylon with Media and Persia Divided by Darius 120 Provinces Babylon: Ambassadors of, Sent to Hezekiah Babylon: As a Power Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance on Other Nations Babylon: As a Power Was: Arrogant Babylon: As a Power Was: Covetous Babylon: As a Power Was: Cruel and Destructive Babylon: As a Power Was: Grand and Stately Babylon: As a Power Was: Oppressive Babylon: As a Power Was: Secure and Self-Confident Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called Babylon the Great Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called Beauty of Chaldees Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the City of Merchants Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the Glory of Kingdoms Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the Golden City Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Enlarged by Nebuchadnezzar Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Its Antiquity Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Surrounded With a Great Wall and Fortified Babylon: Babylon the Chief Province of Babylon: City of Built by Nimrod Babylon: City of Capital of the Kingdom of Babylon Babylon: City of in the Land of Shinar Babylon: City of Peter Writes From Babylon: City of Prophecies Concerning Babylon: Composed of Many Nations Babylon: Destroyed by the Medes Babylon: Empire of a Limited Monarchy Babylon: Empire of Armies of, Invade Ancient Canaan Babylon: Empire of At the Time of Ahasuerus Babylon: Empire of Called Land of Shinar Babylon: Empire of Colonists From, Sent to Samaria Babylon: Empire of Conquest of Egypt By Babylon: Empire of Divisions of Babylon: Empire of Extent of, at the Time of Nebuchadnezzar Babylon: Empire of Founded by Nimrod Babylon: Empire of Jews Carried To Babylon: Empire of Prophecies of Conquests By Babylon: Empire of Prophetic Denunciations Against Babylon: Formerly a Part of Mesopotamia Babylon: Founded by the Assyrians, and a Part of Their Empire Babylon: Inhabitants of Addicted to Magic Babylon: Inhabitants of Idolatrous Babylon: Inhabitants of Profane and Sacrilegious Babylon: Inhabitants of Wicked Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Besieged and Took Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Besieged Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Burned Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Made Jehoiakim Tributary Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Made Zedekiah King Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Rebelled Against by Zedekiah Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Spoiled and Burned the Temple Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Spoiled the Temple Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Took Jehoiachin Captive to Babylon Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Took Zedekiah Captive to Babylon Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Captivity of the Jews By Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Conquests By Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Perpetual Desolation of Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Preaching of the Gospel In Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of the Jews From Babylon: Presidents Placed Over Babylon: Remarkable For: Antiquity Babylon: Remarkable For: Commerce Babylon: Remarkable For: Manufacture of Garments Babylon: Remarkable For: Military Power Babylon: Remarkable For: National Greatness Babylon: Remarkable For: Naval Power Babylon: Remarkable For: Wealth Babylon: Remarkable For: Wisdom of Senators Babylon: Represented by a Great Eagle Babylon: Represented by a Head of Gold Babylon: Represented by a Lion With Eagle's Wings Babylon: Restoration of the Jews From Babylon: Revolt of the Jews From, and Their Punishment Illustrated Babylon: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Babylon: The Gospel Preached In Babylon: The Jews Exhorted to be Subject To, and Settle In Babylon: Treatment of the Jews In Babylon: Watered by the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris Related Terms Merodach-baladan (2 Occurrences) |
    |