Chaldeans

This name is taken, 1. For the people of Chaldea, and the subjects of that empire generally; 2. For philosophers, naturalists, or soothsayers, whose principal employment was the study of mathematics and astrology, by which they pretended to foretell the destiny of men born under certain constellations.

The Chaldeans were originally a warlike people, who at first inhabited the Carduchian or Koordish mountains north of Assyria and Mesopotamia, Jeremiah 50:17. As the Assyrian monarchs extended their conquests towards the north and west, the Chaldeans also came under their dominion; and this rough and energetic people appear to have assumed, under the sway of their conquerors, a new character, and to have been transformed from a rude horde into a civilized people. A very vivid and graphic description of the Chaldean warriors is given by the prophet Habakkuk, who probably lived about the time when they first made incursions into Palestine or the adjacent regions, Habakkuk 1:6-11. Of the date of their location in Babylonia nothing is now known. In the reign of king Hezekiah, B. C. 713, a king of Babylon is mentioned, the first of whom we read after Nimrod and Amraphel. About one hundred years later we find the Chaldeans in possession of the kingdom of Babylon. The first sovereign in the new line appearing in history was Nabopolassar. His son Nebuchadnezzar invaded Palestine, as foretold by Jeremiah and Habakkuk, Ezra 5:12 Jeremiah 39:5. He was succeeded by his son Evil-merodach, 2 Kings 25:27 Jeremiah 52:31. After him came, in quick succession, Neriglissar, Laborosoarchod, and Nabonnidus or Belshazzar, under whom this empire was absorbed in the Medo-Persian. The Chaldeo-babylonian dynasty continued probably not more than one hundred years.

CHALDEA; CHALDEANS

kal-de'-a, kal-de'-anz (kasdim, 'erets kasdim; Chaldaia, Chaldaioi):

1. Geographical Position

Seats of the Chaldeans

2. Originally Sumero-Akkadian

3. History of the Chaldean Tribes

4. Merodach-baladan and Sargon of Assyria

5. Suzubu

6. Musezib-Marduk

7. Merodach-baladan's Son

8. Na'id-Marduk

9. Palia

10. Nabu-bel-sumati and Others

His Tragic End

11. The Chaldeans Forge Ahead

12. Nabopolassar's Revolt against Assyria

13. The Chaldeans as Learned Men

"Kasdim," "land of Kasdim" or "the Chaldeans," is the usual designation, in the Old Testament, for the land and the people (Jeremiah 50:10; Jeremiah 51:24; Jeremiah 24:5; Jeremiah 25:12). The corresponding Greek form with l for s follows the Assyr-Bab Kaldu, mat Kaldi, "Chaldean, land of the Chaldeans." Kasdim is possibly connected with the name of Kesed (Kesedh), nephew of Abraham (Genesis 22:22), and may be derived from the Assyr-Bab root kasadu, "to capture," suggesting that the Chaldeans were originally tribes of nomadic plunderers (compare Job 1:17).

1. Geographical Position:

Seats of the Chaldeans:

In its widest acceptation, Chaldea is the name of the whole of Babylonia, owing to the fact that the Chaldeans had given more than one king to the country. In the strict sense, however, their domain was the tract at the Northwest end of the Persian Gulf, which was often called by the Assyro-Babylonians mat Tamtim, "the Land of the Sea," a province of unknown extent. When these tribes migrated into Babylonia is uncertain, as is also their original home; but as they are closely related to the Arameans, it is possible that their first settlements lay in the neighborhood of the Aramean states bordering on the Holy Land. Tiglath-pileser IV (742 B.C.) speaks of the ra'asani or chiefs of the Kaldu, and the mention of numerous Aramean tribes in Babylonia itself shows that their example of settling there soon found imitators, as did the Anglo-Saxons when they invaded Britain. Among the Chaldean tribes in Babylonia may be mentioned Bit Amukkani, whose capital was Sapia; Bit Yakin which furnished the dynasty to which Merodach-baladan II belonged; and probably also Bit Dakkuri, as all three lay near the Persian Gulf. Sargon of Assyria excludes Bit-Amukkani and Bit-Dakkuri, and speaks of "the whole of the land of Chaldea, as much as there is; the land of Bit-Yakini, on the shore of the Salt River (the Persian Gulf), to the border of Tilmun" (the island of Bahrein and the adjacent mainland) (Pavement Inscr., IV, ll. 82, 83, 85, 86). It was probably the influence of theBabylonians among whom they settled which changed these nomads into city-dwellers. Sennacherib refers to 75 (var. 89) strong cities and fortresses of Chaldea, and 420 (var. 800) smaller towns which were around them; and there were also Chaldeans (and Arameans) in Erech, Nippur (Calneh), Kis, Hursag-kalama, Cuthah, and probably Babylon.

2. Originally Sumero-Akkadian:

The "land of the sea" (mat Tamtim)is mentioned in the chronicle of the early Babylonian kings (rev. 14) as being governed by Ea-gamil, contemporary of Samsu-Titana (circa 1900 B.C.), but at that period it was apparently one of the original Sumero-Akkadian states of Babylonia. It is doubtful whether, at that early date, the Chaldeans had entered Babylonia and founded settlements there, though the record mentions Arameans somewhat later on.

3. History of the Chaldean Tribes:

One of the earliest references to the Chaldeans is that of Shalmaneser II of Assyria, who, on invading Babylonia in the eponymy of Belbunaya (851 B.C.), captured the city Baqani, which belonged to Adini of the Chaldean tribe of Dakuri. After plundering and destroying the place, Shalmaneser attacked Enzudi, the capital, whereupon Adini submitted and paid tribute. On this occasion Yakini of "the Land of the Sea," also paid tribute, as did Musallim-Marduk, son of Amukkani (the Bit-Amukkani mentioned above). The next Assyrian ruler to mention the country is Adadnirari III (810 B.C.), who speaks of all the kings of the Chaldeans, which evidently refers to the various states into which the Chaldean tribes were divided. Later on, Sargon of Assyria, in his 12th year, decided to break the power of Merodach-baladan, who had made himself master of Babylon. To effect this, he first defeated the Gambulians, who were the Chaldean king's supporters, and the Elamites, his allies over the border. The Chaldean, however, did not await the Assyrian king's attack, but escaped to Yatburu in Elam, leaving considerable spoil behind him.

4. Merodach-baladan and Sargon of Assyria:

Though extensive operations were carried out, and much booty taken, the end of the campaign seems only to have come two years later, when Dur-Yakin was destroyed by fire and reduced to ruins. In the "Annals of Hall XIV" Sargon claims to have taken Merodach-baladan prisoner, but this seems doubtful. Merodach-baladan fled, but returned and mounted the throne again on Sargon's death in 705 B.C. Six months later Sennacherib, in his turn, attacked him, and he again sought safety in flight.

5. Suzubu:

A Chaldean chief named Suzubu, however, now came forward, and proclaimed himself king of Babylon, but being defeated, he likewise fled. Later on, Sennacherib attacked the Chaldeans at Nagitu and other settlements in Elamite-territory which Merodach-baladan and his followers had founded.

6. Musezib-Marduk:

After the death of Merodach-baladan, yet another Chaldean, whom Sennacherib calls likewise Suzubu, but whose full name was Musezib-Marduk, mounted the Babylonian throne. This ruler applied for help against Sennacherib of Assyria to Umman-menanu, the king of Elam, who, taking the bribe which was offered, supported him with an armed force, and a battle was fought at Chalule on the Tigris, in which Sennacherib claims the victory-probably rightly. Musezib-Marduk reigned 4 years, and was taken prisoner by his whilom ally, Umman-menanu, who sent him to Assyria.

7. Merodach-baladan's Son:

In the reign of Esarhaddon, Nabu-zer-napistilisir, one of the sons of Merodach-baladan, gathered an army at Larsa, but was defeated by the Assyrians, and fled to Elam. The king of that country, however, wishing to be on friendly terms with Esarhaddon, captured him and put him to death.

8. Na'id-Marduk:

This prince had a brother named Na'id-Marduk, who, not feeling himself safe in the country which had acted treacherously toward his house, fled, and made submission to Esarhaddon, who received him favorably, and restored to him the dominion of the "Land of the Sea." This moderation secured the fidelity of the Chaldeans, and when the Elamite Urtaku sent inviting them to revolt against their suzerain, they answered to the effect that Na'id-Marduk was their lord, and they were the servants of the king of Assyria. This took place probably about 650 B.C., in the reign of Esarhaddon's son Assur-bani-apli (see OSNAPPAR).

9. Palia:

Hostility to Assyria, however, continued to exist in the tribe, Palia, grandson of Merodach-baladan, being one of the prisoners taken by Assur-bani-apli's troops in their operations against the Gambulians (a Babylonian, and perhaps a Chaldean tribe) later on. It was only during the struggle of Samas-sumukin (Saosduchimos), king of Babylon, Assur-banl-apli's brother, however, that they took sides against Assyria as a nationality. This change was due to the invitation of the Babylonian king-who may have been regarded, rather than Assur-bani-apli, as their overlord.

10. Nabu-bel-sumati:

The chief of the Chaldeans was at that time another grandson of Merodach-baladan, Nabu-bel-sumati, who seized the Assyrians in his domain, and placed them in bonds. The Chaldeans suffered, with the rest, in the great defeat of the Babylonian and allied forces, when Babylon and the chief cities of the land fell. Mannu-ki-Babili of the Dakkurians, Ea-sum-ikisa of Bit-Amukkani, with other Chaldean states, were punished for their complicity in Samas-sum-ukin's revolt, while Nabu-bel-sumati fled and found refuge at the court of Indabigas, king of Elam. Assur-bani-apli at once demanded his surrender, but civil war in Elam broke out, in which Indabigas was slain, and Ummanaldas mounted the throne.

His Tragic End:

This demand was now renewed, and Nabu-bel-sumati, fearing that he would be surrendered, decided to end his life. He therefore directed his armor-bearer to dispatch him, and each ran the other through with his sword. The prince's corpse, with the head of his armor-bearer, were then sent, with some of the Chaldean fugitives, to Assyria, and presented to the king. Thus ended, for a time, Chaldean ambition in Babylonia and in the domain of eastern politics.

11. The Chaldeans Forge Ahead:

With the death of Assur-bani-apli, which took place about 626 B.C., the power of Assyria fell, his successors being probably far less capable men than he. This gave occasion for many plots against the Assyrian empire, and the Chaldeans probably took part in the general movement. In the time of Saracus (Sin-sarra-iskun of Assyria, circa 620 B.C.) Busalossor would seem to have been appointed general of the forces in Babylonia in consequence of an apprehended invasion of barbarians from the sea (the Persian Gulf) (Eusebius, Chronicon, book i).

12. Nabopolassar's Revolt against Assyria:

The new general, however, revolted against the Assyrians, and made himself master of Babylonia. As, in other cases, the Assyrians seem to have been exceedingly faithful to their king, it has been thought possible that this general, who was none other than Nabopolassar, the father of Nebuchadpolassar's rezzar, was not really an Assyrian, but a Babylonian, and probably a Chaldean. This theory; if correct, would explain how Babylonia, in its fullest sense, obtained the name of Chaldea, and was no longer known as the land of Shinar (Genesis 10:10). The reputation of Merodach-baladan, the contemporary of Hezekiah, may have been partly responsible for the change of name.

13. The Chaldeans as Learned Men:

It was not in the restricted sense, but as a synonym of Babylonian, that the name Chaldean obtained the signification of "wise man." That the Chaldeans in the restricted and correct sense were more learned than, or even as learned as, the Babylonians in general, is unlikely. Moreover, the native inscriptions give no indication that this was the case. The Babylonians in general, on the other hand, were enthusiastic students from very early times. From their inscriptions, it is certain that among their centers of learning may be classed Sippar and Larsa, the chief seats of sun-worship; Nippur, identified with the Calneh of Genesis 10:10; Babylon, the capital; Borsippa in the neighborhood of Babylon; Ur of the Chaldees; and Erech. There is, also, every probability that this list could be extended, and will be extended, when we know more; for wherever an important temple existed, there was to be found also a priestly school. "The learning of the Chaldeans" (Daniel 1:4; Daniel 2:2; Daniel 4:7; Daniel 5:7, 11) comprised the old languages of Babylonia (the two dialects of Sumerian, with a certain knowledge of Kassite, which seems to have been allied to the Hittite; and other languages of the immediate neighborhood); some knowledge of astronomy and astrology; mathematics, which their sexagesimal system of numeration seems to have facilitated; and a certain amount of natural history. To this must be added a store of mythological learning, including legends of the Creation, the Flood (closely resembling in all its main points the account in the Bible), and apparently also the Temptation and the Fall. They had likewise a good knowledge of agriculture, and were no mean architects, as the many celebrated buildings of Babylonia show-compare not only the descriptions of the Temple of Belus (see BABEL, TOWER OF) and the Hanging Gardens, but also the remains of Gudea's great palace at Lagas (Tel-loh), where that ruler, who lived about 2500 B.C., is twice represented as an architect, with plan and with rule and measure. (These statues are now in the Louvre.) That their architecture never attained the elegance which characterized that of the West, is probably due to the absence of stone, necessitating the employment of brick as a substitute (Genesis 11:3).

SeeBABYLONIA; SHINAR.

T. G. Pinches

5466. Chaldaios -- a Chaldean, an inhabitant of Chaldea
... Word Origin of Semitic origin, cf. Kasdi Definition a Chaldean, an inhab. of
Chaldea NASB Word Usage Chaldeans (1). Chaldaean. Probably ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5466.htm - 6k3778. Kasdi -- a region of S. Bab. and its inhab.
... and its inhab. Transliteration: Kasdi or Kasdimah Phonetic Spelling: (kas-dee')
Short Definition: Chaldeans. ... Chaldeans, Chaldees, inhabitants of Chaldea. ...
/hebrew/3778.htm - 6k

3779. Kasday -- inhab. of Chaldea
... inhab. of Chaldea. Transliteration: Kasday Phonetic Spelling: (kas-dah'-ee) Short
Definition: Chaldeans. ... of Chaldea NASB Word Usage Chaldean (3), Chaldeans (6). ...
/hebrew/3779.htm - 6k

Testimony of the Chaldeans to the Antiquity of Moses.
... Chapter XXXVI."Testimony of the Chaldeans to the Antiquity of Moses. But
let Homer be not later than the Trojan war; let it be ...
/.../tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxxvi testimony of the chaldeans.htm

Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans
... LYRICS HABAKKUK'S RHAPSODY OF THE CHALDEANS. i The Mystery. THE PROPHET. O LORD,
how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? ... Doom of the Chaldeans. 1. ...
/.../habakkuks rhapsody of the chaldeans.htm

Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on his Forsaking the ...
... Chapter 13."Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on His Forsaking the Chaldeans
and Passing Over into Mesopotamia, No Mention is Made of His Son Nahor. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 13 why in the account.htm

Another Method of Fixing the Horoscope at Birth; Equally Futile ...
... Chapter V."Another Method of Fixing the Horoscope at Birth; Equally Futile; Use
of the Clepsydra in Astrology; The Predictions of the Chaldeans Not Verified. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter v another method of fixing.htm

How Abram Our Forefather Went Out of the Land of the Chaldeans ...
... CHAPTER 7. How Abram Our Forefather Went Out Of The Land Of The Chaldeans,
And Lived In The Land Then Called Canaan But Now Judea. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how abram our.htm

Fragment i. On the Mythical Chronology of the Egyptians and ...
... Fragment I. On the Mythical Chronology of the Egyptians and Chaldeans.?
On the Mythical Chronology of the Egyptians and Chaldeans. ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/fragment i on the mythical.htm

After This, it Seemed Proper to Celsus to Term the Chaldeans a ...
... Chapter LXXX. After this, it seemed proper to Celsus to term the Chaldeans
a most divinely-inspired nation? After this, it seemed ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxx after this it.htm

That the Seven Sages Flourished in the Reign of Romulus, when the ...
... That the Seven Sages Flourished in the Reign of Romulus, When the Ten Tribes Which
Were Called Israel Were Led into Captivity by the Chaldeans, and Romulus ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 that the seven sages.htm

Habakkuk
... The prophet begins by asking his God how long the lamentable disorder and wrong
are to continue, i.1-4. For answer, he is assured that the Chaldeans are to be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/habakkuk.htm

The World's Wages to a Prophet
... THE WORLD'S WAGES TO A PROPHET. 'And it came to pass, that when the army of the
Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's arm, 12. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the worlds wages to a.htm

Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHALDEA; CHALDEANS. ... Nabu-bel-sumati and
Others His Tragic End 11. The Chaldeans Forge Ahead 12. ...
/c/chaldeans.htm - 48k

Babylonians (48 Occurrences)
... in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between
the two walls, which was by the king's garden (now the Chaldeans were against ...
/b/babylonians.htm - 22k

Chalde'an (6 Occurrences)
Chalde'an. Chaldean, Chalde'an. Chaldeans . Multi-Version Concordance
Chalde'an (6 Occurrences). 2 Kings 25:24 And Gedaliah swore ...
/c/chalde'an.htm - 8k

Babylonian (10 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An astrologer; -- so called because the Chaldeans were remarkable for
the study of astrology. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/b/babylonian.htm - 10k

Chalde'ans (74 Occurrences)
Chalde'ans. Chaldeans, Chalde'ans. Chaldee . Multi-Version Concordance
Chalde'ans (74 Occurrences). Acts 7:4 Then having come forth ...
/c/chalde'ans.htm - 29k

Nebuchadrez'zar (31 Occurrences)
... the hand of those seeking thy life, And into hands of which thou art afraid, Into
the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, And into the hand of the Chaldeans...
/n/nebuchadrez'zar.htm - 16k

Enchanters (9 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the enchanters, and
the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams. ...
/e/enchanters.htm - 9k

Magicians (16 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the enchanters, and
the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams. ...
/m/magicians.htm - 12k

Conjurers (7 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Daniel 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the enchanters,
and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams. ...
/c/conjurers.htm - 8k

Chebar (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Length, a river in the "land of the Chaldeans"
(Ezek. 1:3), on the banks of which were located some of ...
/c/chebar.htm - 10k

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