Topical Encyclopedia Babylon, once a magnificent city and the heart of a powerful empire, is frequently mentioned in the Bible, both as a historical entity and as a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. The Scriptures contain numerous prophecies concerning the fate of Babylon, particularly emphasizing its ultimate desolation and ruin.Prophetic Pronouncements The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah are the primary voices in the Old Testament that foretell the downfall and perpetual desolation of Babylon. These prophecies were delivered during a time when Babylon was at the height of its power, making the predictions all the more striking. Isaiah's Prophecies Isaiah prophesied the complete and utter destruction of Babylon, emphasizing that it would never be inhabited again. In Isaiah 13:19-22 , the prophet declares: "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. She will never be inhabited or settled from generation to generation; no nomad will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flock there. But desert creatures will lie there, and their houses will be full of howling creatures; there the owls will dwell, and there the wild goats will leap about. Hyenas will howl in her fortresses, and jackals in her luxurious palaces. Her time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged." Isaiah's vivid imagery underscores the totality of Babylon's desolation, likening its fate to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities known for their complete destruction due to divine judgment. Jeremiah's Prophecies Jeremiah also prophesied the downfall of Babylon, echoing the theme of perpetual desolation. In Jeremiah 50:39-40 , he states: "So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there, and the ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or settled from generation to generation. As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighboring towns, declares the LORD, so no one will dwell there; no man will abide there." Further, in Jeremiah 51:26 , the prophet adds: "No one shall retrieve from you a cornerstone or a foundation stone, because you will become desolate forever, declares the LORD." Jeremiah's prophecies reinforce the idea that Babylon's destruction would be so complete that it would never rise again, serving as a perpetual testament to God's judgment. Fulfillment and Historical Context The prophecies concerning Babylon's desolation were fulfilled over time. The city fell to the Medes and Persians in 539 B.C., marking the beginning of its decline. Although it continued to exist for some time afterward, its significance waned, and it eventually became uninhabited, aligning with the biblical predictions. The ruins of Babylon, located in modern-day Iraq, stand as a testament to the accuracy of these ancient prophecies. Despite various attempts to rebuild or restore the site throughout history, Babylon remains largely desolate, fulfilling the biblical declarations of its perpetual desolation. Symbolic Significance In addition to its historical fulfillment, Babylon holds symbolic significance in biblical literature, particularly in the Book of Revelation, where it represents the epitome of worldly power and opposition to God. The prophecies of its desolation serve as a reminder of the ultimate futility of human pride and rebellion against divine authority. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 13:19-22And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 14:22,23 Jeremiah 50:13,39 Jeremiah 51:37 Library Remaining Books of the Old Testament. The Greater Prophets. The Seven Trumpets. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Resources Was Daniel made a eunuch in Babylon? | GotQuestions.orgWhen 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 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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