Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, cities often serve as centers of wealth and commerce, reflecting both the prosperity and moral challenges associated with material abundance. The Bible provides numerous examples of cities that were renowned for their riches, and these cities often play significant roles in the unfolding of biblical history.Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom and Gomorrah are perhaps the most infamous cities associated with wealth and moral decay. Genesis 13:10 describes the land of Sodom as "well-watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt," indicating its prosperity. However, the cities' wealth contributed to their pride and eventual downfall, as seen in Genesis 19, where God destroys them due to their wickedness. Babylon Babylon is another city synonymous with wealth and opulence. In the Book of Daniel, Babylon is depicted as a city of great splendor and power under King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 4:30 records the king's prideful declaration: "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" Babylon's riches and subsequent fall serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and idolatry. Jerusalem Jerusalem, the city of David, is central to the biblical narrative and is often associated with both spiritual and material wealth. Under King Solomon, Jerusalem reached the height of its prosperity. 1 Kings 10:23-24 states, "King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart." Despite its wealth, Jerusalem's history is marked by periods of faithfulness and rebellion against God. Tyre The city of Tyre is noted for its commercial success and wealth derived from trade. Ezekiel 27 provides a detailed account of Tyre's extensive trade network and the riches it accumulated. However, Ezekiel 28:5 warns, "By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of your wealth." Tyre's eventual destruction serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of material riches. Nineveh Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, was a city of great wealth and power. The Book of Jonah describes Nineveh as a "great city" (Jonah 1:2), and its wealth is implied by its size and influence. Despite its riches, Nineveh was called to repentance by the prophet Jonah, highlighting the biblical theme that spiritual wealth is of greater importance than material abundance. Laodicea In the New Testament, the city of Laodicea is mentioned in the Book of Revelation as a wealthy city that had become spiritually complacent. Revelation 3:17 records the words of the risen Christ: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing,’ but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." This admonition underscores the danger of relying on material wealth rather than spiritual riches. Throughout the Bible, cities of riches are depicted as both blessings and potential pitfalls. The narratives surrounding these cities serve as moral and spiritual lessons, emphasizing the importance of humility, faithfulness, and the pursuit of spiritual wealth over material gain. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 10:15The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Nero Adds Four Cities to Agrippas Kingdom; but the Other Parts of ... Concerning the Wife of Solomon; Concerning his Wisdom and Riches ... Of the [Temple And] Cities that were Built by Herod and Erected ... Jehoshaphat Whether Christ Should have Led a Life of Poverty in this World? When I Heard of any New Kingdom Beyond the Seas How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ... How Moses Conquered Sihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and ... Jehoshaphat's Reform Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ... Resources Does God killing people make Him a murderer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the strange flesh in Jude 1:7? | GotQuestions.org What were the Dark Ages? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
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