Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Babylonian" refers to the people, culture, and empire associated with the ancient city of Babylon, which played a significant role in biblical history. Babylon was located in Mesopotamia, in what is now modern-day Iraq, and was one of the most influential cities of the ancient world. The Babylonians are often depicted in the Bible as a powerful and sometimes oppressive force, particularly in relation to the Israelites.
Historical ContextBabylon rose to prominence under the rule of Hammurabi in the 18th century BC, but it is most famously associated with the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which reached its zenith under King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BC. This period is particularly significant in biblical history due to the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal event for the Jewish people.
Babylon in the Bible1.
The Tower of Babel: The earliest mention of Babylon in the Bible is in
Genesis 11:1-9, where the city is associated with the Tower of Babel. The narrative describes humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens, which God thwarted by confusing their language and scattering them across the earth. This account highlights themes of human pride and divine sovereignty.
2.
The Babylonian Exile: One of the most significant events involving the Babylonians is the conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people. In
2 Kings 24-25 and
2 Chronicles 36, Nebuchadnezzar II is described as besieging Jerusalem, destroying the Temple, and deporting the Israelites to Babylon. This exile lasted approximately 70 years and is seen as a period of judgment and purification for the Israelites.
·
Jeremiah 29:10 states, "For this is what the LORD says: 'When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.'"
3.
Prophetic Writings: The prophets frequently spoke against Babylon, symbolizing it as a center of idolatry and opposition to God.
Isaiah 13-14 and
Jeremiah 50-51 contain oracles against Babylon, predicting its downfall as a divine act of judgment.
·
Isaiah 13:19 declares, "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah."
4.
Symbolism in Revelation: In the New Testament, Babylon is used symbolically in the Book of Revelation to represent a world system opposed to God.
Revelation 17-18 describes "Babylon the Great" as a harlot and a city of great wealth and corruption, destined for destruction.
·
Revelation 18:2 proclaims, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a hideout for every unclean and detestable bird."
Cultural and Religious InfluenceThe Babylonians were known for their advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. Their religious practices were polytheistic, centered around gods such as Marduk, and they had a significant influence on the surrounding regions. The Babylonian captivity exposed the Israelites to these influences, which they resisted by maintaining their distinct monotheistic faith.
LegacyThe Babylonian Empire eventually fell to the Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great, who allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, as recorded in
Ezra 1. Despite its fall, Babylon's legacy endures in biblical literature as a symbol of human pride and divine judgment, serving as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over the nations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to the real or to the mystical Babylon, or to the ancient kingdom Of Babylonia; Chaldean.
2. (n.) An inhabitant of Babylonia (which included Chaldea); a Chaldean.
3. (n.) An astrologer; -- so called because the Chaldeans were remarkable for the study of astrology.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASSYRIAN AND BABYLONIAN LIBRARIESSeeNINEVEH, LIBRARY OF.
BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY
SeeCAPTIVITY.
Strong's Hebrew
1255. Berodak Baladan -- "he has given a son," aBabylonian king... "he has given a son," a
Babylonian king. Transliteration: Berodak Baladan Phonetic
Spelling: (ber-o-dak' bal-ad-awn') Short Definition: Berodach-baladan.
...1408. Gad -- "fortune," a Bab. god.
... god. Fortune, aBabylonian deity A variation of gad; Fortune, aBabylonian deity --
that troop. see HEBREW gad. 1407, 1408. Gad. 1409 . Strong's Numbers.
5664. Abed Nego -- "servant of Nebo," Bab. name of one of Daniel's...
... Abed-nego. The same as Abed Ngow'; Abed-Nego, theBabylonian name of one of Daniel's
companions -- Abed-nego. see HEBREW Abed Ngow'. 5663, 5664....
5018. Nebuzaradan -- "Nebo has given seed," a Bab. general
... general NASB Word Usage Nebuzaradan (15). Nebuzaradan. Of foreign origin; Nebuzaradan,
aBabylonian general -- Nebuzaradan. 5017, 5018. Nebuzaradan. 5019 ....
1081. Baladan -- "he has given a son," father of a Bab. king
... Baladan. From Bel and 'adown (contracted); Bel (is his) lord; Baladan, the name
of aBabylonian prince -- Baladan. see HEBREW Bel. see HEBREW 'adown....
192. Evil Merodak -- "man of Merodach," son and successor of...
... Evil-merodach. Of Aramaic derivation and probably meaning soldier of Merodak;
Evil-Merodak, aBabylonian king -- Evil-merodach. 191, 192. Evil Merodak. 193 >...
1095. Belteshatstsar -- Bab. name of Daniel
... Belteshazzar. Of foreign derivation; Belteshatstsar, theBabylonian name of Daniel --
Belteshazzar. 1094, 1095. Belteshatstsar. 1096 . Strong's Numbers.
1112. Beleshatstsar -- "Bel, protect the king," a Bab. king
... Belshazzar. Or Belshatstsar {bale-shats-tsar'}; of foreign origin (compare
Beltsha'tstsar); Belshatstsar, aBabylonian king -- Belshazzar....
4757. Merodak Baladan -- a king of Babylon
... Merodach-baladan. Of foreign derivation; Merodak-Baladan, aBabylonian king --
Merodach-baladan. Compare Mrodak. see HEBREW Mrodak. 4756, 4757....
4781. Merodak -- a god worshiped by the Bab.
... NASB Word Usage Marduk (1). Merodach. Of foreign derivation; Merodak, aBabylonian
idol -- Merodach. Compare Mro'dak Bal'adan. see HEBREW Mro'dak Bal'adan....
Library
Concerning Zamaris, theBabylonian Jew; Concerning the Plots Laid...
... CHAPTER 2. Concerning Zamaris, TheBabylonian Jew; Concerning The Plots Laid By
Antipater Against His Father; And Somewhat About The Pharisees....
The Relation of Manich??ism to the OldBabylonian Religion as Seen...
... Introductory Essay on the Manich??an Heresy, Chapter V. "The Relation of Manich??ism
to the OldBabylonian Religion as Seen in Mand??ism and Sabeanism....
Of the Hundred and Forty-four Thousand Sealed, who were virgins...
... PART I. SYNCHRONISM IV. Of the Hundred and Forty-four Thousand Sealed, who
were Virgins, with theBabylonian Harlot and the Beast....
The Consistories of More Note: Out of theBabylonian Talmud...
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 91-100 Chapter 96 The consistories of more note:
out of theBabylonian Talmud, Sanhedr.... TheBabylonian Talmudists go on....
Conclusion
... We have seen that the early culture of western Asia was whollyBabylonian, and that
Babylonian influence continued undiminished there down to the days of the...
The Survival of the Fittest.
... II. THE CORRESPONDINGBABYLONIAN FLOOD STORIES.... In his quest for healing and immortality
Gilgamesh reached the abode of theBabylonian hero of the flood....
The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
... involved a public denunciation of their kings. [Sidenote: Contact with
Babylonian civilization]. On the other hand, the Israelites...
Philosophical Basis, and Antecedents of Manich??ism.
... other. Recent scholars have brought to light facts of the utmost interest
with reference to the pre-Babylonian (Accadian) religion....
Chapter xiv
... on the questions: from what source are the facts narrated derived; are they oral
tradition; do they come from some Canaanite or someBabylonian clay tablets...
Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
... ceremonial laws] TheBabylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive
to the further development of written law. While the...
Thesaurus
Babylonian (10 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ASSYRIAN AND
BABYLONIAN LIBRARIES. See NINEVEH,
LIBRARY OF.
BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY. See CAPTIVITY. Multi-Version Concordance
...Sepharvaim (6 Occurrences)
... the Exodus an active literary intercourse was carried on between these nations,
and that the medium of the correspondence was theBabylonian language and script...
Amraphel (2 Occurrences)
... 1. The Expedition Against Sodom and Gomorrah: This name, which is identified with
that of the renownedBabylonian king Hammurabi (which see), is only found in...
Belshazzar (8 Occurrences)
... These were filled with tablets, the receipts and contracts of a firm ofBabylonian
bankers, which showed that Belshazzar had a household, with secretaries and...
Shushan (19 Occurrences)
... It is frequently mentioned in theBabylonian inscriptions of the 3rd millennium
BC, and is expressed by the characters for the goddess Ishtar and for "cedar...
Ur (5 Occurrences)
... "Ur was consecrated to the worship of Sin, theBabylonian moon-god.... The name is
Babylonian, and bears witness to its having been founded by aBabylonian king....
Shinar (8 Occurrences)
... shi'-nar (shin`ar; Senaar Sen(n)aar): 1. Identification 2. PossibleBabylonian Form
of the Name 3. Sumerian and Other Equivalents 4. The Syriac Sen'ar 5. The...
Upharsin (1 Occurrence)
... Mene', which, however it is pointed, must be taken from the verb menah (Hebrew manah;
Babylonian manu), is said to have indicated that God had numbered (the...
Tekel (2 Occurrences)
... Mene', which, however it is pointed, must be taken from the verb menah (Hebrew manah;
Babylonian manu), is said to have indicated that God had numbered (the...
Ellasar (2 Occurrences)
... ELLASAR. el-a'-sar ('ellacar): 1. The Name and Its Etymology: The city over which
Arioch (Eri-Aku) and otherBabylonian kings ruled (Genesis 14:1). The Semitic...
Resources
What was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the Babylonian Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Avignon Papacy / Babylonian Captivity of the Church? | GotQuestions.orgBabylonian: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
