Topical Bible: Babylon: Represented by a Lion With Eagle's Wings

◄ Babylon: Represented by a Lion With Eagle's Wings ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Babylon, one of the most significant cities and empires in biblical history, is often symbolized by a lion with eagle's wings. This imagery is prominently featured in the prophetic visions of the Book of Daniel, where it serves as a representation of the Babylonian Empire's power and majesty.

Biblical Reference:

The vision of the lion with eagle's wings is found in Daniel 7:4: "The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it."

Symbolism and Interpretation:

1. Lion with Eagle's Wings:
· The lion is a symbol of strength, majesty, and dominance, characteristics that aptly describe the Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar. The addition of eagle's wings suggests swiftness and the far-reaching influence of Babylon, as eagles are known for their keen vision and ability to soar high above the earth.
· The tearing off of the wings and the transformation of the lion to stand on two feet like a man, with a human heart, is often interpreted as a depiction of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling experience, as recorded in Daniel 4. After a period of madness, Nebuchadnezzar's reason was restored, and he acknowledged the sovereignty of the Most High God.

2. Historical Context:
· Babylon was the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which reached its zenith under Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BC). Known for its impressive architecture, including the Hanging Gardens and the Ishtar Gate, Babylon was a center of power, culture, and religion.
· The empire's rapid expansion and influence over the ancient Near East are reflected in the imagery of the lion with eagle's wings, symbolizing both its might and its eventual downfall.

3. Prophetic Significance:
· In the broader context of Daniel's vision, the lion with eagle's wings is the first of four beasts, each representing successive empires. The vision serves as a prophetic overview of the rise and fall of world powers, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
· The transformation of the lion is seen as a foreshadowing of the humbling of human pride and the ultimate recognition of divine authority, a theme that resonates throughout the Book of Daniel.

Theological Implications:

The depiction of Babylon as a lion with eagle's wings underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over human kingdoms. Despite Babylon's grandeur and power, it was subject to the divine will, as demonstrated by Nebuchadnezzar's personal transformation and the eventual fall of the empire. This imagery serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly power and the enduring dominion of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 7:4
The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand on the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... excited the admiration of the Greeks at Babylon, and of ... They were represented as
composite creatures in whom the ... of wings, the head of a lion, vulture, hyaena ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm