Topical Bible: Babylon was Called: Land of Shinar

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Introduction:
The term "Land of Shinar" is a significant biblical designation for the region known as Babylon. This ancient land, rich in history and biblical narrative, is referenced multiple times throughout Scripture. The Land of Shinar is often associated with early post-Flood civilization, the rise of empires, and pivotal events in biblical history.

Biblical References:
The Land of Shinar is first mentioned in the context of the descendants of Noah. Genesis 10:10 states, "The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." This passage identifies Shinar as the location of Babel, the city founded by Nimrod, a mighty hunter and ruler.

In Genesis 11:2 , the narrative of the Tower of Babel unfolds: "And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there." This account highlights Shinar as the setting for humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens, an act of pride and defiance against God, which resulted in the confusion of languages and the scattering of peoples.

The Land of Shinar is also mentioned in the context of the Babylonian exile. In Daniel 1:2 , it is recorded, "And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the articles in the treasury of his god." This passage marks the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, where Daniel and other Judean youths were taken to Babylon.

Historical and Geographical Context:
The Land of Shinar corresponds to the southern region of Mesopotamia, primarily encompassing the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This fertile plain was the cradle of early civilization, home to the Sumerians, Akkadians, and later the Babylonians. The city of Babylon, located in this region, became a symbol of human achievement and rebellion against God.

Theological Significance:
The Land of Shinar holds profound theological implications in the biblical narrative. It represents both the potential for human unity and the dangers of prideful ambition. The Tower of Babel account serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of human endeavor apart from divine guidance.

Furthermore, Shinar's association with Babylon underscores the theme of exile and redemption. The Babylonian captivity was a period of judgment for the Israelites, yet it also set the stage for their eventual return and restoration, as prophesied by Jeremiah and fulfilled in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions:
In prophetic literature, Babylon and the Land of Shinar are often depicted as symbols of worldly power and opposition to God's kingdom. Isaiah 11:11 mentions Shinar in the context of a future regathering of God's people: "On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea."

The Book of Revelation also draws on the imagery of Babylon as a representation of the ultimate defeat of evil and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This eschatological vision reinforces the enduring significance of the Land of Shinar in the biblical worldview.

Conclusion:
The Land of Shinar, as a biblical term for Babylon, encapsulates a rich tapestry of historical, theological, and prophetic themes. From the early narratives of Genesis to the prophetic visions of the end times, Shinar serves as a backdrop for God's unfolding plan of redemption and the ultimate triumph of His purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 1:2
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 5:11
And he said to me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there on her own base.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The History after the Flood.
... kings, in the following manner:"The first city was Babylon, and Erech, and Accad,
and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. And their king was called Nebroth [Nimrod ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxi the history after the.htm

Of the Diversity of Languages, and of the Founding of Babylon.
... the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar ... all the earth." [873] This
city, which was called Confusion, is the same as Babylon, whose wonderful ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 4 of the diversity of.htm

Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... mentions that of the youngest son, who is called Japheth: he ... And the beginning of
his kingdom was Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the generations of.htm

We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ...
... another name for "the land of Shinar." In Dan.5:30 Belshazzar is termed "the king
of the Chaldeans," while in 7:1 he is called "the king of Babylon" " cf Isa ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/we arrive now at a.htm

Chapter xi
... Some time after having become established in the land of Shinar"no one ... for the honour
is the place of the temple of Marduk in Babylon, called Esagil and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xi.htm

In the Last Chapter we Confined Ourself to the Old Testament, in ...
... which shall yet be built in the Land of Shinar ... and then He adds, "Afterwards thou
shalt be called, The city ... there will be Israelites dwelling in Babylon and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the last chapter we.htm

Chapter x
... identified with the city in Arabia called Sabbatha, famous ... The beginning of his kingdom
was Babylon, and Erech and Akkad and Calneh in the land of Shinar. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

Approaching Doom
... chosen for service in the court of Babylon, the faith ... in every experience through
which they were called to pass during their sojourn in a strange land. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... given by the early Hebrews to the land of Babylonia ... This plain of Shinar had become
the center of the ... gods and tried to erect a tower called Babylon by means ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

The Tower of Babel.
... onward, they came to a large plain in the land of Shinar, near to where Babylon
was afterwards ... off building the tower, and that is why it is called Babel ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the tower of babel.htm