Movatterモバイル変換

◄ Cities: Ancient►

Jump to:Nave's •Greek •Library •Subtopics •Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, cities play a significant role as centers of culture, commerce, and conflict. The ancient cities mentioned in the Bible provide a backdrop for many of the events and teachings found in Scripture. These cities were often strategically located and served as hubs for trade, governance, and religious activity.

Jericho
One of the oldest known cities, Jericho is famously known for its conquest by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. The miraculous fall of its walls is recorded inJoshua 6:20: "So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city." Jericho's strategic location near the Jordan River made it a key city in the conquest of Canaan.

Jerusalem
Jerusalem holds a central place in biblical history and theology. It was established as the capital of Israel by King David and became the site of Solomon's Temple. The city is frequently mentioned throughout the Bible, symbolizing God's presence and the spiritual center of Israel.Psalm 122:3-4 describes Jerusalem as "a city that is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD."

Babylon
Babylon is often depicted as a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. It was the capital of the Babylonian Empire and the site of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). The city is also associated with the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, as described in2 Kings 24-25. In the Book of Revelation, Babylon represents the epitome of worldly corruption and opposition to God (Revelation 17-18).

Nineveh
The capital of the Assyrian Empire, Nineveh was a large and influential city. It is most notably mentioned in the Book of Jonah, where God commands Jonah to call the city to repentance.Jonah 3:4-5 records, "Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!' And the people of Nineveh believed God." Nineveh's repentance highlights God's mercy and willingness to forgive.

Sodom and Gomorrah
These cities are synonymous with sin and divine judgment. Their destruction is recounted inGenesis 19:24-25: "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." The account of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a warning against immorality and disobedience to God.

Tyre and Sidon
These Phoenician cities were known for their wealth and maritime prowess. They are frequently mentioned in the prophetic books as examples of pride and eventual downfall.Ezekiel 28:2-3 speaks of Tyre's arrogance: "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Because your heart is proud, and you have said, "I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas," yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god.'"

Capernaum
Located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum served as a base for Jesus' ministry. It is mentioned in the Gospels as a place where Jesus performed many miracles and taught in the synagogue.Matthew 4:13 states, "And leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali."

These ancient cities, among others, provide a rich tapestry of historical and spiritual significance within the biblical narrative. They illustrate the complexities of human civilization and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout history.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 4:17
And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bore Enoch: and he built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 10:10-12
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

1179. Dekapolis -- Decapolis, a region East of the Jordan
... a group or district of tencities (of the Greek type) in Palestine, mostly
south-east of the Lake of Tiberias; the names and number vary inancient authorities...

Library

Ambrose.
...Ancient Syriac Documents.... of a certain leprous [3503] shepherd; and afterwards, when
the Greeks had become victorious in the war, and burntcities, and taken...

SixCities
... Hebron is the mostancient of all thecities of Canaan. It was as old, if not older,
than Damascus, and was built seven years before Zoar in Egypt....

Moses and his Writings
... This was the custom of conquerors with all theseancient cities, as the excavators
find to-day. Now, in the remains of Lachish we can see its whole history....

The Last Exile
... Round about him lay the greatcities ofancient Egypt""Thebes of the Hundred Gates"
and Memphis, the old capital of the kingdom"cities of the dead whose...

How the Kings of Asia Honored the Nation of the Jews and Made them...
... became their auxiliaries; for Seleucus Nicator made them citizens in thosecities
which he... in the war; nor would they alter any of theancient favors granted...

The Death of Salome. TheCities which Herod and Philip Built....
... TheCities Which Herod And Philip Built... to Cesarea, and besought him to carry those
ensigns out of Jerusalem, and to preserve them theirancient laws inviolable...

Acts of Sharbil, who was a Priest of Idols, and was Converted to...
... BP Pratten, BA]Ancient Syriac Documents.... of the countries under his dominion that
sacrifices and libations should be increased in all thecities of their...

The Writing of anAncient Book
... THE OLD TESTAMENT THE WRITING OF ANANCIENT BOOK.... The next year, when all the people
who had come to Jerusalem from thecities of Judah were observing a fast in...

Of the Situation of Britain and Ireland, and of theirAncient
... I. Of the Situation of Britain and Ireland, and of theirancient.... The island was
formerly distinguished by twenty-eight famouscities, besides innumerable forts...

The Emperor Constantine Having Enlarged theAncient Byzantium...
... Book I. Chapter XVI."The Emperor Constantine having enlarged theAncient Byzantium,
calls it... This he carried into effect in othercities as well as in the...