Introduction:
Babylon, a city of great historical and biblical significance, is frequently mentioned in the Bible. It serves as a symbol of human pride, idolatry, and opposition to God. The city was the capital of ancient Babylonia, located in Mesopotamia, and is often associated with the Tower of Babel, the Babylonian captivity, and prophetic visions of judgment.

Historical Background:
Babylon was founded by Nimrod, as recorded in Genesis 10:10: "The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." The city rose to prominence under the rule of Hammurabi and later reached its zenith under King Nebuchadnezzar II, who is known for his conquests and the construction of the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Tower of Babel:
The narrative of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 describes humanity's attempt to build a city and a tower "with its top in the heavens" (Genesis 11:4). This act of defiance against God led to the confusion of languages and the scattering of people across the earth. The account illustrates the themes of human pride and divine judgment.

Babylonian Captivity:
Babylon is central to the history of Israel, particularly during the period of the Babylonian captivity. In 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, leading to the exile of the Jewish people. This event is chronicled in 2 Kings 25 and lamented in Psalm 137:1, "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion."

Prophetic Significance:
Babylon is a prominent subject in biblical prophecy. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold its downfall. 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 describes Babylon as "a gold cup in the LORD’s hand; she made the whole earth drunk."

Symbolism in Revelation:
In the New Testament, Babylon symbolizes the ultimate embodiment of worldly power and opposition to God. Revelation 17 and 18 depict Babylon as a harlot and a great city that will face divine judgment. Revelation 18:2 proclaims, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!" This imagery serves as a warning against idolatry and moral corruption.

Cultural and Religious Influence:
Babylon was a center of pagan worship and idolatry, with its pantheon of gods, including Marduk, the chief deity. The city's religious practices often stood in stark contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. This cultural and religious tension is evident throughout the biblical narrative.

Conclusion:
While Babylon was a literal city with a rich history, its biblical representation extends beyond its physical existence. It serves as a powerful symbol of human rebellion, divine judgment, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. The lessons drawn from Babylon's account continue to resonate with believers, reminding them of the dangers of pride and the importance of faithfulness to God.

Rejoicing Over Babylon's Destruction.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. Rejoicing Over Babylon's Destruction. "And
after this, I heard a loud voice of a mighty crowd in heaven ...
/.../a brief commentary on the apocalypse/rejoicing over babylons destruction.htm

Carried Captive into Babylon
... National Retribution Chapter 37 Carried Captive Into Babylon. In the ninth
year of Zedekiah's reign "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 37 carried captive into.htm

On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ...
... people, to pluck it up by its roots." Such indeed is the parable, but the prophet
again explains it, when he says, "Behold, the king of Babylon cometh against ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xix on the sunday.htm

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... Thus saith the Lord: This city shall certainly be given into the hand of the king
of Babylon, and he shall take it and burn it with fire.3. And thou shalt not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... The Antichrist, here termed the king of the north, ie Assyrai, shall leave Babylon,
and marshalling his imperial forces, which he has ready for immediate action ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse
... The Angel of the Everlasting Gospel. The Angel announcing the Fall of Babylon. ... A
Woman on a Scarlet-Colored Beast. The Fall of Babylon. The Voice From Heaven. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/

Hymn after Meat
... Then Babylon's vile mob with fury glows; Death is his doom; and straight the tyrant
throws The youth to be his savage lions' prey: But faith and piety Thou ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iv hymn after meat.htm

First, for Thy Thoughts.
... 1. Be careful to suppress every sin in the first motion; dash Babylon's children,
whilst they are young, against the stones; tread, betimes, the cockatrice's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/first for thy thoughts.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... The advent of the army of Cyrus before the walls of Babylon was to the Jews
a sign that their deliverance from captivity was drawing nigh. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

Psalm LII.
... [1884] Despair we not then of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, when we see
them engaged in any of Babylon's matters, doing something earthly in republic ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lii.htm

Babylon's (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Babylon's (11 Occurrences). Isaiah 39:7 'They
will take away your sons who will issue from you, whom you ...
/b/babylon's.htm - 10k

Judah's (18 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 32:2 Now at that time the king of Babylon's army was besieging Jerusalem;
and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard, which was in ...
/j/judah's.htm - 12k

Surrender (18 Occurrences)
... 38:17 Then said Jeremiah to Zedekiah, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Armies, the God
of Israel: If you will go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then your ...
/s/surrender.htm - 13k

Babylonish (1 Occurrence)
... A robe of rich colours fabricated at Babylon, and hence of great value (Joshua
7:21). ... 1. (n.) of or pertaining to, or made in, Babylon or Babylonia. ...
/b/babylonish.htm - 8k

Babylon (270 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Babylon, kingdom of. ... Its capital was the city of Babylon,
a great commercial centre (Ezek. 17:4; Isaiah 43:14). ...
/b/babylon.htm - 93k

Babel (3 Occurrences)
... The Birs Nimrud, at ancient Borsippa, about 7 miles south-west of Hillah, the modern
town which occupies a part of the site of ancient Babylon, and 6 miles ...
/b/babel.htm - 63k

Tower (74 Occurrences)
... 1. General Form of Babylonian Temple-Towers: There was a great difference, however,
between a Canaanite mighdol or watchtower, and the great Tower at Babylon. ...
/t/tower.htm - 52k

Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences)
... Nergal, protect the king! (1.) One of the "princes of the king of Babylon who
accompanied him in his last expedition against Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 39:3, 13). ...
/n/nergalsharezer.htm - 9k

Nebuzar-adan (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh of the month, which was in the
nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzar-adan ...
/n/nebuzar-adan.htm - 11k

Nebushasban (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Adorer of Nebo, or Nebo saves me, the "Rabsaris,"
or chief chamberlain, of the court of Babylon. He was ...
/n/nebushasban.htm - 7k

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