The term "Chaldean" in the Bible primarily refers to the people of Chaldea, a region in southern Mesopotamia, which is present-day southern Iraq. The Chaldeans are often associated with the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which rose to prominence in the 7th and 6th centuries BC. The Chaldeans are mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament, both as a people and in reference to their land and culture.

Historical Context

The Chaldeans were originally a Semitic-speaking people who settled in the marshy lands of the lower Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Over time, they became influential in the political and cultural life of Mesopotamia. The most notable Chaldean ruler was Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from 605 to 562 BC and is known for his military conquests and the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Biblical References

1. Genesis 11:28, 31 · The Chaldeans are first mentioned in the context of Abraham's origins. "Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans" (Genesis 11:28). This passage indicates that Abraham's family came from Ur, a major city in Chaldea.

2. 2 Kings 24:2 · The Chaldeans are noted as one of the groups that God used to bring judgment upon Judah. "And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim to destroy Judah, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by His servants the prophets" (2 Kings 24:2).

3. Daniel 1:4 · The Chaldeans are associated with wisdom and learning. Daniel and his companions were taken to Babylon to be educated in "the language and literature of the Chaldeans" (Daniel 1:4). This highlights the Chaldeans' reputation for scholarship and astrology.

4. Habakkuk 1:6 · The Chaldeans are described as a fierce and impetuous nation used by God as an instrument of judgment. "For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans—that ruthless and impetuous nation that marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own" (Habakkuk 1:6).

Cultural and Religious Influence

The Chaldeans were known for their advancements in astronomy and mathematics, which were integral to their religious practices. They worshiped a pantheon of gods, with Marduk being the chief deity. The Chaldeans' religious and cultural practices had a significant influence on the broader Mesopotamian region.

Role in Prophecy

The Chaldeans play a significant role in biblical prophecy, particularly in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. They are often depicted as instruments of God's judgment against Israel and other nations. The fall of Babylon, the Chaldean capital, is prophesied in Isaiah 13 and Jeremiah 50-51, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of God's justice.

Legacy

The Chaldeans left a lasting legacy in the ancient Near East through their contributions to culture, science, and religion. Their interactions with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible, serve as a testament to God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His prophetic word.1. (a.) Of or pertaining to Chaldea.

2. (n.) A native or inhabitant of Chaldea.

3. (n.) A learned man, esp. an astrologer; -- so called among the Eastern nations, because astrology and the kindred arts were much cultivated by the Chaldeans.

4. (n.) Nestorian.

5466. Chaldaios -- a Chaldean, an inhabitant of Chaldea
... a Chaldean, an inhabitant of Chaldea. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Chaldaios Phonetic Spelling: (khal-dah'-yos) Short Definition: a Chaldean ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5466.htm - 6k

1682. eloi -- my God
... Definition my God NASB Word Usage Eloi (2). Eloi. Of Chaldean origin ('elahh with
pronominal suffix) my God -- Eloi. see HEBREW 'elahh. (eloi) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1682.htm - 6k

3679. Kasdim -- Chaldean
... 3678, 3679. Kasdim. 3680 . Chaldean. Transliteration: Kasdim Phonetic Spelling:
(kas-dah'-ee) Short Definition: Chaldean. ... Chaldean For Kasdiy -- Chaldean. ...
/hebrew/3679.htm - 5k

3779. Kasday -- inhab. of Chaldea
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to Kasdi Definition inhab. of Chaldea
NASB Word Usage Chaldean (3), Chaldeans (6). Chaldean. ...
/hebrew/3779.htm - 6k

Doctrines Concerning ??ons; the Chaldean Astrology; Heresy ...
... Book IV. Chapter II."Doctrines Concerning ??ons; The Chaldean Astrology;
Heresy Derivable from It. Employing these (as analogies ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ii doctrines concerning aeons the.htm

The Horoscope the Foundation of Astrology; Indiscoverability of ...
... Book IV. Chapter III."The Horoscope the Foundation of Astrology; Indiscoverability
of the Horoscope; Therefore the Futility of the Chaldean Art. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter iii the horoscope the foundation.htm

Prodigies of the Astrologers; System of the Astronomers; Chaldean ...
... Book IV. Chapter VIII."Prodigies of the Astrologers; System of the Astronomers;
Chaldean Doctrine of Circles; Distances of the Heavenly Bodies. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter viii prodigies of the astrologers.htm

Rhapsody
... the first section of the rhapsody."(2) The Divine solution of this problem comes
under the image of intoxication: the haughty career of the Chaldean is no ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/rhapsody 2.htm

The Refutation of All Heresies
... Book IV. Chapter I.--System of the Astrologers; Sidereal Influence; Chapter
II.--Doctrines Concerning ??ons; The Chaldean Astrology; Heresy Derivable from It. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/

Appendix I.
... but at the same time Asshurbanipal died, and his weaker successor was compelled
to recognize the virtual independence of Nabopolassar, the Chaldean in Babylon. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/appendix i.htm

Habakkuk
... If they do, then, as in i.12-17, the wicked oppressor is almost certainly the Chaldean
and the righteous is Judah, and we shall have to interpret the confusion ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/habakkuk.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... They seem to have made about equal progress in all the arts of civilization. Nimrod,
a descendent of Ham, is declared to be the founder of the Chaldean Empire. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

Faith (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, December 5, 1865)
... words. It was on the eve of a Chaldean invasion. ... spirit. In a burst of magnificent
poetry, he proclaims woe to the unjust Chaldean conqueror. ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xiii faith preached before.htm

The Prophecy of Obadiah.
... The words, "Day of their destruction," in ver.12, are decisive against every
other catastrophe upon Judah, but that of the Chaldean. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophecy of obadiah.htm

Chaldean (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Chaldean (4 Occurrences). ... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY
WBS YLT NAS). Daniel 5:30 In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain. ...
/c/chaldean.htm - 8k

Chaldea (8 Occurrences)
... kasdim, 'erets kasdim; Chaldaia, Chaldaioi): 1. Geographical Position Seats of the
Chaldeans 2. Originally Sumero-Akkadian 3. History of the Chaldean Tribes 4 ...
/c/chaldea.htm - 25k

Chalde'an (6 Occurrences)
Chalde'an. Chaldean, Chalde'an. Chaldeans . ... Daniel 5:30 In that night Belshazzar
king of the Chaldeans is slain, (See RSV). Chaldean, Chalde'an. Chaldeans ...
/c/chalde'an.htm - 8k

Belshazzar (8 Occurrences)
... bel-shaz'-ar (belsha'tstsar; Baltasar, Babylonian Bel-shar-usur): According to Daniel
5:30, he was the Chaldean king under whom Babylon was taken by Darius the ...
/b/belshazzar.htm - 16k

Patriarchs (6 Occurrences)
... He says that the first king was ALOROS of (the city) Babylon, a Chaldean. ... Then
AMMENON the Chaldean (of Pautibibla reigned twelve sars). ...
/p/patriarchs.htm - 37k

Antediluvian
... He says that the first king was ALOROS of (the city) Babylon, a Chaldean. ... Then
AMMENON the Chaldean (of Pautibibla reigned twelve sars). ...
/a/antediluvian.htm - 35k

Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)
... Nebuehadnezzar, coming soon after to the Chaldean throne, followed up his victory
by a vigorous campaign against Pharaoh-necoh, whom we have seen at the end of ...
/j/jehoiakim.htm - 33k

Canonicity
... Nahum, who prophesies against Nineveh, belongs to the very close of this period
(circa 660). (ii) Chaldean Age: The prophets Zephaniah (under Josiah, circa 630 ...
/c/canonicity.htm - 37k

Darius (26 Occurrences)
... 11:1), "the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes" (9:1). On the death of
Belshazzar the Chaldean he "received the kingdom" of Babylon as viceroy from ...
/d/darius.htm - 24k

Babylonian (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the real or to the mystical
Babylon, or to the ancient kingdom Of Babylonia; Chaldean. ...
/b/babylonian.htm - 10k

Who were the Chaldeans in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is mammon? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the Babylonian Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.org

Chaldean: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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