Topical Encyclopedia Babylon, one of the most significant cities in ancient Mesopotamia, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. Governed by a succession of kings, Babylon's history is intertwined with the narratives of the Israelites and the unfolding of biblical prophecy.Early References and Nimrod's Kingdom The origins of Babylon are traced back to Nimrod, a mighty hunter and ruler, who is credited with founding the city. Genesis 10:10 states, "The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." This early reference sets the stage for Babylon's emergence as a center of power and influence. Nebuchadnezzar II and the Babylonian Empire One of the most prominent kings of Babylon mentioned in the Bible is Nebuchadnezzar II. His reign marked the height of Babylon's power and its most significant interactions with the people of Israel. Nebuchadnezzar is best known for the conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile of the Jewish people. In 2 Kings 24:10-14, the Bible recounts, "At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege." Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and their interpretations by the prophet Daniel are pivotal events recorded in the Book of Daniel. Daniel 2:37-38 describes Nebuchadnezzar's dominion: "You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all." Belshazzar and the Fall of Babylon The reign of Belshazzar, another Babylonian king, is marked by the dramatic fall of Babylon. During a feast, Belshazzar witnessed the mysterious writing on the wall, which Daniel interpreted as a divine message foretelling the end of his kingdom. Daniel 5:26-28 records the interpretation: "This is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians." Prophetic Significance Babylon's kings and their actions are often seen as fulfilling biblical prophecies. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold the rise and fall of Babylon, emphasizing its role in God's plan for judgment and redemption. Isaiah 13:19 proclaims, "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah." Symbolism in Revelation In the New Testament, Babylon is used symbolically in the Book of Revelation to represent the ultimate opposition to God and His people. Revelation 17:5 refers to Babylon as "Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth." This imagery underscores Babylon's enduring representation of human arrogance and defiance against divine authority. Throughout the Bible, the kings of Babylon serve as instruments of God's judgment and as symbols of earthly power that ultimately succumbs to divine sovereignty. Their accounts are woven into the larger narrative of God's dealings with humanity, illustrating themes of pride, judgment, and redemption. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 20:12At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. Torrey's Topical Textbook Daniel 5:1 Library That the Jews Ceased to have Prophets after the Rebuilding of the ... About the Time of Christ, in Accordance with Prophecy, the Rulers ... How the Kings of Asia Honored the Nation of the Jews and Made them ... In the Last Chapter we Confined Ourself to the Old Testament, in ... The Oracles of the Prophets must be Looked Into; and of their ... The Nations of the South-East Questions. How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ... Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ... Book 9 Footnotes Resources What is the significance of Babylon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the whore of Babylon / mystery Babylon? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of the Babylonian Empire in biblical history? | 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) |
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