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Babylon emerged as a Mesopotamian city along the Euphrates River, evolving into a dominant city-state and later the capital and eponym of one of the most significant empires in history. Situated approximately 55 miles south of present-day Baghdad, the city resided on the eastern side of the Fertile Crescent. Babylon’s historical narrative frequently intertwined with biblical events, exerting a profound influence on Israel and global history.
The Establishment of Babylon
The initial reference to Babylon in the Bible appears in Genesis 10. This section, known as the table of nations, traces the lineage of Noah’s three sons. Within Ham’s genealogy, it is noted that “Cush fathered Nimrod, who grew to be a mighty warrior on the earth” «And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. », (Genesis 10:8). Nimrod established a kingdom that encompassed a region known as “Babylon” in Shinar «And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. », (Genesis 10:10).
The Tower of Babel
The account of the Tower of Babel is detailed in Genesis 11. While the English translation distinguishes between “Babel” and “Babylon,” the Hebrew language uses the same term for both. This narrative solidifies Babylon’s image as a city characterized by rebellion against God. Subsequently, biblical authors consistently depict Babylon as a symbol of wickedness and defiance «The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. », (see 1 Peter 5:13 and Revelation 17:5).
Babylon’s Early Expansion
Around the era of Abraham, Babylon evolved into an autonomous city-state governed by the Amorites. The initial Babylonian dynastyIncluded in the history of Babylon is Hammurabi, the sixth king, renowned for his code of laws. Hammurabi expanded the kingdom, and the region surrounding Babylon became known as Babylonia. During the second dynasty, Babylon maintained communication with Egypt and engaged in a 600-year conflict with Assyria. Following a period of subjugation to the Elamite Empire, a fourth dynasty of Babylonian rulers prospered under Nebuchadnezzar I. Subsequently, Babylon fell under the dominance of Assyria.
The Rise of Babylon
By 851 B.C., Babylon was merely nominally independent, relying on Assyrian “protection” and experiencing numerous internal disruptions. Eventually, Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria ascended to the throne. The Assyrians and Merodach-baladan, a Chaldean, alternated in power. During one of his periods of strength, Merodach-baladan dispatched envoys to intimidate Hezekiah, the king of Judah (2 Kings 20:12-19;Isaiah 39). When the Chaldean leader Nabopolassar seized control of Babylon in 626 B.C., he proceeded to plunder Nineveh, the Assyrian capital.
Nebuchadnezzar II’s Campaign in Judah
During the Chaldean dynasty, and arguably throughout history, no monarch surpassed the grandeur and absolute authority of Nebuchadnezzar II’s rule. As the heir apparent (son of Nabopolassar), he vanquished Pharaoh Necho II, who had supported the Assyrian army, securing for Babylonia the former Assyrian territories, including Israel. Upon assuming the throne, Nebuchadnezzar compelled King Jehoiakim of Judah to “serve as his vassal for three years. But then [Jehoiakim] changed his mind and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar” «In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. », (2 Kings 24:1). The Babylonian king, displeased with the rebellion, seized Jerusalem and captured the king, along with other leaders, soldiers, andArtisans were taken as captives to Babylon (2 Kings 24:12-16). This event marked the start of the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people.
Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah to govern Judah. However, Zedekiah, going against the advice of the prophet Jeremiah, allied with the Egyptians in a rebellion in 589 B.C. This led to Nebuchadnezzar’s retaliation. The remaining Jews were exiled, Jerusalem was set on fire, and the temple was destroyed in August of 587 or 586 BC (Jeremiah 52:1-30).
The Prophet Daniel and the Downfall of Babylon
Babylon served as the backdrop for the ministries of the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel, both of whom were exiled from Judah. Daniel rose to prominence as a leader and advisor to the Babylonian and Persian Empires. He was captured after the battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C. (Jeremiah 46:2-12). The book of Daniel recounts his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2) and predicts the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5). Earlier, the prophet Isaiah had also prophesied the downfall of Babylon (Isaiah 46:1-2).
Conclusion
Throughout the Bible, Babylon is referenced from Genesis to Revelation, evolving from its rebellious origins to symbolize the evil world system of the Antichrist. When God’s people needed correction, He utilized the Babylonian Empire for this purpose, yet He restricted Judah’s captivity to 70 years “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.”, (Jeremiah 25:11). Subsequently, God pledged to “punish the king of Babylon and his nation” “And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished…”.
It is foretold in the book of Jeremiah 25:12 that the king of Babylon and his nation will be punished by the LORD for their iniquity, leading to perpetual desolation in the land of the Chaldeans. The verse states, “for all the wrong they have done in Zion.” (Jeremiah 25:12) Another prophecy in Jeremiah 51:24 declares that Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea will face the consequences of their evil deeds in Zion, as witnessed by the LORD. The verse reads, “And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 51:24). Ultimately, the judgment of all evil is inevitable, symbolized by the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18:21: “The great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.”
