Topical Bible: Babylon was Called: Land of the Chaldeans

Bible > Topical > Babylon was Called

◄ Babylon was Called: Land of the Chaldeans ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Babylon, often referred to as the "Land of the Chaldeans," holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy. This ancient city, located in Mesopotamia, is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as a symbol of human pride, idolatry, and opposition to God.

Historical Context

The Chaldeans were a Semitic people who settled in the southern part of Mesopotamia, in what became known as Chaldea. By the late 7th century BC, the Chaldeans had risen to power under the leadership of Nabopolassar, who established the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His son, Nebuchadnezzar II, expanded the empire and made Babylon one of the most magnificent cities of the ancient world.

Biblical References

The Bible often uses the term "Chaldeans" interchangeably with "Babylonians," highlighting their prominence in the region. In Isaiah 13:19 , Babylon is described as "the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans," emphasizing its splendor and the pride of its inhabitants. The Chaldeans were known for their wisdom and astrology, as seen in Daniel 2:2 , where Nebuchadnezzar calls upon "the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans" to interpret his dream.

Prophetic Significance

Babylon's role as the "Land of the Chaldeans" is crucial in biblical prophecy. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold its downfall due to its wickedness and rebellion against God. In Jeremiah 50:1 , the Lord declares through the prophet, "This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, through Jeremiah the prophet." The subsequent chapters detail the judgment and destruction that would come upon Babylon, serving as a warning to nations that defy God.

Symbolism and Legacy

In the New Testament, Babylon symbolizes the ultimate expression of worldly power and opposition to God's kingdom. Revelation 17 and 18 depict "Babylon the Great" as a harlot and a city of great wealth and corruption, destined for divine judgment. This imagery draws from the historical Babylon, the "Land of the Chaldeans," as a representation of human arrogance and spiritual adultery.

Babylon's legacy as the "Land of the Chaldeans" serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and idolatry. Its account is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the tension between earthly kingdoms and the eternal kingdom of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 12:13
My net also will I spread on him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Abram Our Forefather Went Out of the Land of the Chaldeans ...
... says thus: "Abram reigned at Damascus, being a foreigner, who came with an army
out of the land above Babylon, called the land of the Chaldeans: but, after a ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how abram our.htm

Abraham's Four Surrenders
... of the Chaldeans. He lived down near the mouth of the Euphrates, perhaps three hundred
miles south of Babylon, when he was called to go into a land that he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/i abrahams four surrenders.htm

We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ...
... another name for "the land of Shinar." In Dan.5:30 Belshazzar is termed "the king
of the Chaldeans," while in 7:1 he is called "the king of Babylon" " cf Isa ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/we arrive now at a.htm

In the Last Chapter we Confined Ourself to the Old Testament, in ...
... dross," etc., and then He adds, "Afterwards thou shalt be called, The city ... we read,
"Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the last chapter we.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he ... for thee, and thou
art also taken, O Babylon, and thou ... the Lord God of hosts in the land of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

Babylon.
... round, with wonderful grounds, containing what were called the hanging ... Great Babylon
was the head, soon to give way to ... by the spoil of Egypt, the land that was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ...
... And Jud??a is called Lebanon, because of its situation near ... saith he, "of the seed
of the land, and planted ... not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xix on the sunday.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... our fathers, and to all the people of the land. ... mighty Gabriel again appeared to
him, and called his attention ... he had seen prior to the fall of Babylon and the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

In the Court of Babylon
... with those who neither knew nor feared God; they were captives in a strange land,
placed there by ... As God called Daniel to witness for Him in Babylon, so He ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 39 in the court.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... chap.1:5 implies that the desolation of the land by the ... as being less known, and
he is called simply the ... of that name who went up from Babylon with Zerubbabel ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm