Topical Encyclopedia Introduction:Babylon, one of the most renowned cities of the ancient world, holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy. Its mention in the Scriptures spans from Genesis to Revelation, symbolizing both a literal city and a metaphorical representation of human pride and rebellion against God. Historical Background: Babylon's origins trace back to the post-Flood era, with its founding attributed to Nimrod, a mighty hunter and ruler. Genesis 10:10 states, "The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." This early reference marks Babylon as one of the first centers of human civilization and power. The Tower of Babel: The city is famously associated with the Tower of Babel, an ambitious project that sought to reach the heavens and make a name for its builders. Genesis 11:4 records their intent: "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." God's response was to confuse their language, leading to the dispersion of peoples across the earth (Genesis 11:7-9). Babylonian Empire: Babylon rose to prominence as the capital of the Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II. This period is marked by the conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile of the Jewish people. The prophet Jeremiah warned of Babylon's role as an instrument of God's judgment, stating, "I will summon all the peoples of the north and My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon," (Jeremiah 25:9). Babylon in Prophecy: The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold Babylon's eventual downfall. Isaiah 13:19-20 proclaims, "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." This prophecy was fulfilled when the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon in 539 BC. Symbolic Babylon: In the New Testament, Babylon takes on a symbolic meaning, representing the world system opposed to God. The Book of Revelation describes "Babylon the Great" as a harlot and a city of great wealth and corruption (Revelation 17:5). This imagery serves as a warning against the seduction of worldly power and materialism. Cultural and Religious Influence: Babylon was a center of learning, culture, and religion. Its ziggurats, temples, and the famous Hanging Gardens reflect its architectural and cultural achievements. However, its religious practices, including astrology and idolatry, were in direct opposition to the worship of the one true God, as emphasized in the biblical narrative. Conclusion: Babylon's legacy in the Bible is one of both historical significance and spiritual symbolism. Its account serves as a testament to the rise and fall of human empires and the enduring sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 5:15See, I will bring a nation on you from far, O house of Israel, said the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you know not, neither understand what they say. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Palestine under Pagan Kings. Fragment xiii. 1. Up to the Time of the Olympiads There is no ... From the Flood to Abraham That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken ... Paul's Second Imprisonment, and Martyrdom; Peter, his Epistles ... The Papacy not the Antichrist The Catholic Epistles. The Earlier Hebrew Histories. The Catholic Epistles. Book 9 Footnotes 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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