Topical Encyclopedia Historical Context:Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, reigned from approximately 605 to 562 BC. He is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people. His reign is marked by significant military conquests, architectural achievements, and interactions with the Kingdom of Judah. Biblical Account: Nebuchadnezzar's interactions with the Kingdom of Judah are detailed in several books of the Bible, including 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, and Daniel. His most notable act, from a biblical perspective, was the siege and eventual destruction of Jerusalem, including the spoiling of the Temple of Solomon. Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem: The Bible records that Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem multiple times. The first siege occurred in 605 BC, during which he took captives, including Daniel and his companions, to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-6). The final and most devastating siege took place in 586 BC, resulting in the destruction of the city and the Temple. 2 Kings 25:8-9 describes this event: "On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building." Spoiling of the Temple: Nebuchadnezzar's forces plundered the Temple, taking sacred articles back to Babylon. This act is seen as a profound desecration and a fulfillment of prophetic warnings given to the people of Judah. 2 Chronicles 36:18-19 states, "He carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles from the house of God, large and small, and the treasures of the LORD’s house and of the king and his officials. Then they burned down the house of God, tore down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all the palaces and destroyed every article of value." Prophetic Fulfillment: The spoiling of the Temple and the exile of the Jewish people were seen as the fulfillment of prophecies given by prophets such as Jeremiah. Jeremiah 25:9 declares, "behold, I will send for all the families of the north,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations, and I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and scorn, an everlasting desolation." Theological Significance: From a theological perspective, Nebuchadnezzar's actions are viewed as instruments of divine judgment against Judah for their idolatry and disobedience to God. The destruction of the Temple, a central place of worship and symbol of God's presence among His people, marked a significant turning point in Jewish history. It underscored the seriousness of covenantal faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God. Nebuchadnezzar's Legacy: Despite his role as a conqueror and destroyer, Nebuchadnezzar's account in the Bible also includes moments of personal transformation. The Book of Daniel recounts his encounters with the God of Israel, leading to a recognition of God's sovereignty (Daniel 4:34-37). His legacy, therefore, is complex, encompassing both his role as an agent of judgment and his eventual acknowledgment of the true God. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 24:13And he carried out there all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Unseen Watcher Letter cvii. To Laeta. Of Civil Government. "If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have ... A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. Letter xxii. To Eustochium. The Mystery Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses. Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire 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) |
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