Topical Bible: Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called Babylon the Great

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Topical Encyclopedia

Historical Background

Babylon, one of the most renowned cities of the ancient world, served as the capital of Babylonia, a major kingdom in Mesopotamia. Located on the Euphrates River, Babylon was a center of commerce, culture, and power. Its history is marked by periods of great prosperity and influence, particularly under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from 605 to 562 BC. The city is famously associated with the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, although their existence remains a topic of debate among historians.

Biblical Significance

In the Bible, Babylon holds a prominent place, both as a literal city and as a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. The earliest mention of Babylon is found in Genesis 10:10, where it is listed as part of Nimrod's kingdom: "The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar" . The Tower of Babel narrative in Genesis 11 further illustrates Babylon's association with human ambition and defiance, as people sought to build a tower reaching the heavens, prompting God to confuse their language and scatter them across the earth.

Babylon in Prophecy

Babylon's role as an oppressor of God's people is a recurring theme in the prophetic books. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesied the city's downfall due to its pride and idolatry. 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" . Jeremiah 51:7-8 describes Babylon as a "golden cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore they have gone mad. Babylon will suddenly fall and be broken" .

Babylon the Great in Revelation

In the New Testament, Babylon takes on a symbolic dimension, representing the epitome of worldly power and corruption. The Book of Revelation refers to "Babylon the Great" as a harlot and a city of great wickedness. Revelation 17:5 states, "On her forehead a mysterious name was written: Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth" . This imagery portrays Babylon as a symbol of spiritual adultery and opposition to God, embodying the ultimate rebellion against divine authority.

Revelation 18 further elaborates on the fall of Babylon the Great, emphasizing its sudden and complete destruction. Revelation 18:2-3 proclaims, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. For all the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality; the kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury" . This passage underscores the judgment that awaits those who align themselves with Babylon's corrupt values.

Theological Implications

Babylon's depiction in Scripture serves as a powerful warning against pride, idolatry, and the seduction of worldly power. It illustrates the consequences of turning away from God and highlights the ultimate triumph of divine justice. For believers, Babylon represents the spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness, urging them to remain faithful and separate from the corrupting influences of the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 4:30
The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Revolt of Babylon.
... Susa; and Babylon, accordingly, though he called it one ... of the empire demanding
attention at the capital could be ... came at last to Susa that Babylon had openly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

The Conquest of Babylon.
... Mississippi at New Orleans, and are there called levees.[B ... find their way, in boats,
to the capital, a foreign ... These were the rivers of Babylon on the banks of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

In the Last Chapter we Confined Ourself to the Old Testament, in ...
... to exalt himself above all that is called God (2 ... her forehead was a name written "
mystery: Babylon the great ... the word "mystery" in large capital letters, thus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the last chapter we.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... on that city, and its successor Babylon, have seemed ... these older pages, with its
two capital cities marked ... that the other nations commonly called Gentiles (ie ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

Alexander.
... After this, Alexander called himself King of Persia, and wore ... he wanted to make Babylon
his capital; he made ... into which they had spread; but Babylon was under ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xv alexander.htm

We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ...
... several scriptures that "the land of Chaldea" " the capital of which was the city
of Babylon " is but ... Chaldeans," while in 7:1 he is called "the king ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/we arrive now at a.htm

The Captivity of Judah.
... moral superiority the Jews, as they are called from this ... over their own people, but
the capital cases were punished later by authority of Babylon (Jer.29 ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xv the captivity of.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... of the glory and pomp of this ancient capital of Babylon: ... A great part of the
inhabitants of Babylon stood on ... loaded with iron; and one kind, called the balista ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Eve of the Restoration
... a polytheist, ready to worship the gods of Babylon. ... creed, if creed it can be called,
is joined ... may be allowed an honourable captivity at the victor's capital. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the eve of the restoration.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... conqueror into the heart of the Babylonian capital by way ... Shortly before the fall
of Babylon, when Daniel was ... desolations, and the city which is called by Thy ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm