Topical Encyclopedia Historical Context:Nebuchadnezzar II, the powerful king of Babylon, reigned from approximately 605 to 562 BC. He is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, known for his military conquests, architectural achievements, and significant role in the history of the Israelites. His reign marked the height of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, during which he expanded his territory and influence across the ancient Near East. Zedekiah's Rebellion: Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the last king of Judah, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar himself after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 597 BC. Nebuchadnezzar changed his name to Zedekiah, meaning "The Lord is my righteousness," as a symbol of his vassal status. Despite this, Zedekiah's reign was marked by political instability and pressure from pro-Egyptian factions within Judah. In the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, influenced by false prophets and political advisors who assured him of Egypt's support against Babylon. This rebellion is documented in 2 Kings 24:20, which states, "For because of the anger of the LORD, it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that He cast them out from His presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon." The Siege of Jerusalem: Nebuchadnezzar responded to Zedekiah's rebellion by laying siege to Jerusalem in 588 BC. The siege lasted approximately two years, leading to severe famine and hardship within the city. The biblical account in 2 Kings 25:1-3 describes the dire conditions: "So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. And the city was kept under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah." The Fall of Jerusalem: The fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC was a pivotal event in Jewish history. The Babylonians breached the city walls, and the city was captured and destroyed. The temple, the center of Jewish worship, was burned, and the treasures of the house of the LORD were taken to Babylon. 2 Kings 25:9-10 records, "He set fire to the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every significant building was burned down. The whole Chaldean army under the commander of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem." Zedekiah's Fate: Zedekiah attempted to flee the city but was captured near Jericho. His fate was tragic, as described in 2 Kings 25:7: "Then they put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon." This act symbolized the end of the Davidic line's rule in Jerusalem until the prophesied restoration. Theological Significance: Zedekiah's rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar is often viewed as a culmination of Judah's persistent disobedience to God. The prophets, including Jeremiah, had warned of the consequences of forsaking the covenant with God and relying on foreign alliances. Jeremiah 27:12-13 records his plea to Zedekiah: "I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah in the same way: 'Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live! Why should you and your people die by the sword, famine, and plague, as the LORD has decreed against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?'" The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile were seen as divine judgment but also as a period of purification and hope for future restoration, as prophesied by Jeremiah and other prophets. This event set the stage for the eventual return of the exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, fulfilling God's promises to His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 24:20For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Carried Captive into Babylon The Last King of Judah 'As Sodom' The Fall of Judah Palestine under Pagan Kings. The Captivity. The World's Wages to a Prophet Approaching Doom The Antiquities of the Jews The Sixth vision "On Earth" Resources What is the significance of Babylon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the whore of Babylon / mystery Babylon? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of the Babylonian Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.org Babylon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Babylon was Called: Desert of the Sea Babylon was Called: Lady of Kingdoms Babylon was Called: Land of Merathaim Babylon was Called: Land of Shinar Babylon was Called: Land of the Chaldeans Babylon with Media and Persia Divided by Darius 120 Provinces Babylon: Ambassadors of, Sent to Hezekiah Babylon: As a Power Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance on Other Nations Babylon: As a Power Was: Arrogant Babylon: As a Power Was: Covetous Babylon: As a Power Was: Cruel and Destructive Babylon: As a Power Was: Grand and Stately Babylon: As a Power Was: Oppressive Babylon: As a Power Was: Secure and Self-Confident Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called Babylon the Great Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called Beauty of Chaldees Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the City of Merchants Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the Glory of Kingdoms Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Called the Golden City Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Enlarged by Nebuchadnezzar Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Its Antiquity Babylon: Babylon the Capital of Surrounded With a Great Wall and Fortified Babylon: Babylon the Chief Province of Babylon: City of Built by Nimrod Babylon: City of Capital of the Kingdom of Babylon Babylon: City of in the Land of Shinar Babylon: City of Peter Writes From Babylon: City of Prophecies Concerning Babylon: Composed of Many Nations Babylon: Destroyed by the Medes Babylon: Empire of a Limited Monarchy Babylon: Empire of Armies of, Invade Ancient Canaan Babylon: Empire of At the Time of Ahasuerus Babylon: Empire of Called Land of Shinar Babylon: Empire of Colonists From, Sent to Samaria Babylon: Empire of Conquest of Egypt By Babylon: Empire of Divisions of Babylon: Empire of Extent of, at the Time of Nebuchadnezzar Babylon: Empire of Founded by Nimrod Babylon: Empire of Jews Carried To Babylon: Empire of Prophecies of Conquests By Babylon: Empire of Prophetic Denunciations Against Babylon: Formerly a Part of Mesopotamia Babylon: Founded by the Assyrians, and a Part of Their Empire Babylon: Inhabitants of Addicted to Magic Babylon: Inhabitants of Idolatrous Babylon: Inhabitants of Profane and Sacrilegious Babylon: Inhabitants of Wicked Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Besieged and Took Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Besieged Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Burned Jerusalem Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Made Jehoiakim Tributary Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Made Zedekiah King Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Rebelled Against by Zedekiah Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Spoiled and Burned the Temple Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Spoiled the Temple Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Took Jehoiachin Captive to Babylon Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar King of Took Zedekiah Captive to Babylon Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Captivity of the Jews By Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Conquests By Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Perpetual Desolation of Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Preaching of the Gospel In Babylon: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of the Jews From Babylon: Presidents Placed Over Babylon: Remarkable For: Antiquity Babylon: Remarkable For: Commerce Babylon: Remarkable For: Manufacture of Garments Babylon: Remarkable For: Military Power Babylon: Remarkable For: National Greatness Babylon: Remarkable For: Naval Power Babylon: Remarkable For: Wealth Babylon: Remarkable For: Wisdom of Senators Babylon: Represented by a Great Eagle Babylon: Represented by a Head of Gold Babylon: Represented by a Lion With Eagle's Wings Babylon: Restoration of the Jews From Babylon: Revolt of the Jews From, and Their Punishment Illustrated Babylon: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Babylon: The Gospel Preached In Babylon: The Jews Exhorted to be Subject To, and Settle In Babylon: Treatment of the Jews In Babylon: Watered by the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris Related Terms Merodach-baladan (2 Occurrences) |
    |