Canaanites
Jeremiah 34:7 – "When the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and against all the cities of Judah that were left, Lachish and Azekah, for these were the only fortified cities of Judah that remained."
Destroyed cities
Description: The city of Babylon is prophesied in the Bible to face complete destruction and desolation, especially in the Book of Revelation where it is referred to as "Babylon the Great" (Revelation 18).
Outcome: Babylon eventually fell into ruin after several conquests, including by the Persians, and its grandeur was lost over time.
The site of ancient Babylon is now mostly uninhabited ruins.
Text: "And say, 'Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.' Thus far are the words of Jeremiah."
Hebrew Context: The Hebrew word טבע (tava) is used here, which directly means "sink." This is one of the clearest references to a city sinking, symbolizing Babylon's permanent destruction.
Chronological Nations and Tribes
Key Locations: Babylon [coordinates n="32.5427" e="44.4206"]
Summary: The Amorites dominated the region with powerful city-states like Babylon, where Hammurabi’s code was established.
Location: Central Mesopotamia (Babylon)
Key Locations: Babylon [coordinates n="32.5427" e="44.4206"]
Summary: Babylon was a major cultural and political center, known for its Hanging Gardens and the Babylonian Exile of the Israelites.
Elamites: An ancient civilization located east of Mesopotamia, often at odds with Assyria and Babylon.
The divine stone
This passage describes a dream that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has, which Daniel interprets.
Chest and Arms of Silver: Symbolizes the Medo-Persian Empire that would succeed Babylon.
Genesis 10:10-12 states: "The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad, and Kalneh, in Shinar.
Mesopotamia played an enormous role in the development of the Genesis creation stories—Adam and Eve, the flood, and now the post-flood table of nations, which includes the Tower of Babel resembling a Babylonian ziggurat.
Described as a mighty hunter before the Lord and considered the original king of Babylon, Nimrod's inclusion in the genealogical list bears a striking resemblance to the Sumerian Kings List from the Old Babylonian period.
References to Babylon, Uruk, and Akkad suggest ties to Babylonia.
Early Jewish Midrash works, as described by the philosopher Philo in his Questiones, depict Nimrod as the instigator of the Tower of Babel and persecutor of the Jewish patriarch Abraham for his refusal to participate in the project.
several cities, including Nippur, while Nimrod is associated with the founding of cities like Babylon and Uruk in the biblical narrative.
In Ctesias's version, Ninus is an Assyrian conqueror, and it is Semiramis, an Assyrian queen, who founds Babylon.
In contrast, Genesis portrays Nimrod as a Babylonian king who holds authority over both Babylon and Assyria.
The Genesis accounts reflect a Babylonian tradition that rejects the Ninus legend and emphasizes Babylon's preeminence.
Berossus criticized the notion that the Assyrians founded Babylon and aimed to rectify misconceptions surrounding Semiramis's reign.
Interestingly, the Genesis narrative echoes Berossus's perspective by presenting Nimrod as the founder of Babylon before establishing Nineveh.
To sum it up, Ninus and Nimrod represent competing traditions aiming to establish the pedigree of Assyria and Babylon.
While Ninus is a legendary figure asserting the primacy of Assyria with Nineveh as its initial stronghold, the Genesis account aligns entirely with Berossus by attributing Babylon as the first established city.
Both figures are associated with the founding of great cities—Gilgamesh with Uruk and Nimrod with Babylon and Uruk.
Similarly, Nimrod is portrayed as a powerful ruler who establishes dominion over Babylon and Assyria.
Hercules is attributed with the establishment of numerous cities, while Nimrod is connected with the founding of Babylon and Nineveh.
Sargon is renowned for his military conquests and the establishment of the first empire in history, while Nimrod is associated with the founding of Babylon and Nineveh, two prominent cities in ancient Mesopotamia.
Thus shall Babylon sink
"Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city!
"Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary."
This verse is part of a prophetic judgment against Babylon, symbolizing its complete and final downfall.
The First Babylon: Poseidi, the Capital of Atlantis
Atlantis and Poseidi: According to this theory, the first Babylon was actually Poseidi, the capital city of Atlantis.
This event is what inspired the later biblical metaphor of Babylon’s "sinking" as seen in Jeremiah 51:64.
The Second Babylon: Mesopotamian Babylon
Foundation of a New Babylon: The survivors in Mesopotamia eventually founded a new city, which they named Babylon, in honor of their lost homeland, Poseidi.
This city became a center of power in Mesopotamia and was known for its grandeur and its famous ziggurat, which later inspired the biblical story of the Tower of Babel.
The Tower of Babel: According to the Bible, the people of Babylon attempted to build a tower that would reach the heavens, symbolizing their desire to regain the power and knowledge of Atlantis.
Yahweh’s Intervention and the Final Fall of Babylon
The destruction of the Tower of Babel and the scattering of the people can be viewed as Yahweh ensuring that no civilization would ever again reach the heights (both metaphorically and literally) of Atlantis.
Symbolic Sinking of the Second Babylon: Just as the first Babylon (Poseidi) had sunk into the sea, the second Babylon was "brought down" in a symbolic sense.
The scattering of languages and the eventual decline of Mesopotamian Babylon mark the final end of the Atlantean legacy, fulfilling the metaphorical prophecy of Babylon's ultimate fall.
The Second Destruction: Yahweh’s Intervention at BabylonGenesis 11:4-8 (The Tower of Babel):"Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.' And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built.
Revelation 18:2: “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
Revelation 18:10: “Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city!
For in one hour is thy judgment come.” Babylon is portrayed as a mighty and formidable city, similar to the advanced and well-fortified Atlantis described by Plato.
Biblical Babylon:
Isaiah 13:19: “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.” This verse emphasizes Babylon’s glory and grandeur, similar to Plato’s description of Atlantis as a wealthy and powerful city.
Jeremiah 51:53: “Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the Lord.” This highlights Babylon's ambition and strength, which parallels the might of Atlantis.
Revelation 18:10: “Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city!
For in one hour is thy judgment come.” Babylon is portrayed as a mighty and formidable city, similar to the advanced and well-fortified Atlantis described by Plato.
Revelation 18 provides a detailed and vivid description of the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the destruction of a great and corrupt city, often interpreted as a representation of a powerful and morally corrupt empire or system.
An Angel's Proclamation: A mighty angel comes down from heaven, illuminating the earth with his glory, and announces the fall of Babylon the Great.
The angel declares that Babylon has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, and a cage for every unclean and detestable bird.
A Voice from Heaven: Another voice from heaven calls God's people to come out of Babylon to avoid sharing in her sins and receiving her plagues.
Repayment in Kind: Babylon is to be repaid according to her deeds; she is to receive double for her actions, and the cup she mixed should be poured out double to her.
Her Arrogance: Babylon is described as sitting as a queen, boasting that she is not a widow and will never see mourning.
The text lists the luxurious goods that Babylon traded, including gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth, as well as other goods like wood, ivory, and spices.
Call to Rejoice: Heaven, along with saints, apostles, and prophets, is called to rejoice over Babylon's fall, because God has avenged them on her.
Symbolic Act: A mighty angel takes up a stone like a great millstone and throws it into the sea, declaring that Babylon, the great city, will be thrown down with such violence that it will never be found again.
The End of Music and Industry: The sound of music, the industry of craftsmen, and the light of lamps will cease in Babylon.
Reasons for Judgment: Babylon’s merchants were the great men of the earth, and by her sorcery, all nations were deceived.
The downfall of Babylon as described in Revelation 18 and the mythological downfall of Atlantis share several thematic similarities.
Babylon: In Revelation 18, Babylon is portrayed as a city filled with luxury, wealth, and immorality.
Babylon’s arrogance is seen in its claim to sit as a queen, immune to suffering (Revelation 18:7).
Babylon: Babylon’s destruction is depicted as an act of divine judgment.
Babylon: The fall of Babylon leads to widespread lamentation among the kings, merchants, and seafarers who benefited from its wealth (Revelation 18:9-19).
Babylon: An angel throws a great millstone into the sea, symbolizing the complete and irreversible destruction of Babylon (Revelation 18:21).
And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is the great city of Babylon!
Atlantis in the Old Testament
Wealthy Nations: Isaiah prophesies against various powerful and wealthy nations, including Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and Tyre.
Destruction: Isaiah contains many prophecies of destruction against various nations, including the fall of Babylon (Isaiah 13) and the desolation of Jerusalem.
Wealthy Nations: Jeremiah prophesies against wealthy nations such as Babylon, Egypt, and Moab.
Ships and Harbors: While ships and harbors are not a central theme, Jeremiah does speak about nations that rely on their wealth and trade, like Babylon (Jeremiah 50-51).
Destruction: Jeremiah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, Babylon, and other nations due to their sins (Jeremiah 25, 50-51).
Wealthy Nations: Daniel describes the wealth and power of empires like Babylon and Persia.
It also denounces the false gods of Babylon (Daniel 5).
While not part of the Old Testament, the Book of Revelation (New Testament) contains vivid imagery of the destruction of wealthy cities (like Babylon), divine beings, and judgments involving ships and harbors (e.g., Revelation 18).
The Fall of Great Cities: Books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel frequently describe the fall of great cities like Babylon and Tyre.
This passage describes a dream that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has, which Daniel interprets.
Chest and Arms of Silver: Symbolizes the Medo-Persian Empire that would succeed Babylon.
Yes, there was a structure in ancient Babylon that is often associated with the biblical Tower of Babel.
It was a ziggurat, a type of stepped pyramid, located in the city of Babylon.
The Tower of Babel story in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 11:1-9) describes a tower built by humanity in an effort to reach the heavens, which led to God confusing their language and scattering them across the earth.
The biblical narrative does not specifically name Etemenanki, but many scholars believe that this ziggurat in Babylon could have been the inspiration for the Tower of Babel story.
The connection is strengthened by the similarity in the name Bavel (Hebrew for Babylon) and the ziggurat's significance as a towering structure reaching toward the heavens.
There are no known Greek stories that specifically refer to the Etemenanki by name or describe a structure called the "Temple of the Foundation of Heaven and Earth." However, the ancient Greeks were aware of Babylon and its monumental architecture, and some Greek writers and historians mention Babylon and its impressive buildings, including what might be interpreted as the ziggurat.
Herodotus, the Greek historian from the 5th century BCE, provides one of the most detailed Greek descriptions of Babylon in his Histories.
Although Herodotus does not explicitly mention a "Temple of the Foundation of Heaven and Earth," his descriptions of Babylon align with the grandeur of the city's religious and architectural significance.
Another Greek historian, Ctesias, who served as a physician in the Persian court, also wrote about Babylon, though his works survive only in fragments.
Strabo, a Greek geographer and historian from the 1st century BCE, also refers to Babylon in his Geography.
While the Greeks were aware of Babylon and its impressive architecture, there is no direct reference in surviving Greek literature to the Etemenanki as the "Temple of the Foundation of Heaven and Earth." The concept of a towering structure or ziggurat, however, might have influenced Greek perceptions of foreign wonders, contributing to the broader Hellenistic understanding of the world.
Moreover, later Greek and Roman writers might have conflated or mythologized their accounts of Babylon, but these are not directly linked to a story about the specific foundation of heaven and earth, as found in Mesopotamian tradition.
The Greek knowledge of Babylon mostly reflects admiration for its scale and significance rather than an in-depth understanding of its religious or architectural symbolism.
Yes, Greek and Roman sources did mention the destruction of Babylon, though their accounts varied and often focused on different aspects of the city's decline.
Herodotus provides a detailed account of Babylon's conquest by the Persian king Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE.
Xenophon, in his work Cyropaedia, also describes the capture of Babylon by Cyrus.
Strabo, writing in the 1st century BCE, mentions Babylon's decline in his Geography.
He notes that by his time, Babylon had significantly deteriorated and that much of the city lay in ruins.
Pliny the Elder, a Roman author from the 1st century CE, also comments on the decay of Babylon in his Natural History.
Pliny’s account emphasizes the contrast between Babylon’s former glory and its desolation.
Diodorus Siculus, a Greek historian from the 1st century BCE, provides a more detailed narrative about the decline and destruction of Babylon.
He mentions how later rulers, such as the Seleucid kings, dismantled parts of Babylon to use its materials for building new cities like Seleucia.
Yes, there is a famous flood story related to ancient Mesopotamian culture, which includes Babylon.
This flood story is often associated with the broader Mesopotamian tradition, which Babylon was a part of.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, while not exclusively a Babylonian text (it has Sumerian roots), was central to the literary and cultural tradition of Babylon and other Mesopotamian civilizations.
Babylon = (Tower of) Babel
The original Hebrew word for the "Tower of Babel" is מִגְדַּל בָּבֶל (Migdál Bável).
בָּבֶל (Bável) refers to "Babel" or "Babylon."
The original Hebrew word for Babylon is בָּבֶל (Bavel).
בָּבֶל (Bavel) is used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to the ancient city of Babylon, which was a significant city in Mesopotamia, located in what is now modern-day Iraq.
This term appears in various places throughout the Hebrew Bible, including in the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis and in the prophecies and historical accounts concerning the Babylonian Empire.
Yes, the words "Babel" and "Babylon" in the Hebrew language share the same root word, בָּבֶל (Bavel).
Tower of Babel: In Hebrew, this is מִגְדַּל בָּבֶל (Migdál Bável), with "Bavel" referring to the location where the tower was constructed.
Babylon: The name for the ancient city itself is also בָּבֶל (Bavel).
The story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 is often interpreted as an etiology (a story explaining the origin of something), particularly explaining the origin of different languages and the name of the city of Babylon.
Therefore, both the Tower of Babel and the city of Babylon are referred to by the same Hebrew word, בָּבֶל (Bavel), highlighting the connection between the two in the biblical text.
Βαβυλών (Babylṓn) is used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and other Greek texts to refer to the ancient city of Babylon.
In Latin, Babylon is a direct transliteration of the Greek Βαβυλών (Babylṓn) and refers to the ancient city of Babylon.
The name Babylon in Latin retained the same reference to the city in Mesopotamia, just as in Hebrew and Greek.
Destruction of Babylon
Jeremiah 51 prophesies the inevitable destruction of Babylon as divine punishment for its arrogance, idolatry, and oppression of Israel.
The chapter vividly describes the downfall of the once-mighty empire, emphasizing that despite its power, Babylon will be reduced to ruins, highlighting the certainty of God's justice.
Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.
The transformation of the Hebrew name בָּבֶל (Bavel) into the English name "Babylon" is a result of linguistic changes over time as the name passed through different languages and cultures.
Latin (Babylon): The Greek Babylōn was then adopted into Latin, retaining the form Babylon.
English (Babylon): From Latin, the name Babylon was passed into English, maintaining the form used in Latin.
Thus, the name Bavel evolved into Babylon as it passed through different languages and was adapted to fit the phonetic and orthographic conventions of each.
Revelation 17 and 18 describe a vision of "Babylon the Great," which is depicted as a symbol of a powerful, corrupt, and oppressive empire or system, or more broadly, any worldly power that stands in opposition to God.
The association of "Babylon" with "Atlantis" is not explicitly stated in the text of Revelation, but there is a symbolic parallel in how both are portrayed as powerful civilizations that meet a sudden and catastrophic end due to their moral corruption and opposition to divine will.
In these chapters, Babylon the Great is described in apocalyptic terms:
Revelation 17:1-6: Babylon is depicted as a great prostitute sitting on many waters, drunk with the blood of the saints, symbolizing her immense power and moral depravity.
Revelation 17:5: She is called "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth."
Revelation 17:16-17: The beast and the ten horns, which represent kings, turn against Babylon, strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire, symbolizing her ultimate destruction.
Revelation 18: This chapter continues with the fall of Babylon, lamented by kings, merchants, and mariners who profited from her, emphasizing the suddenness and totality of her demise.
While Revelation does not directly equate Babylon with Atlantis, the two share significant symbolic elements:
Babylon the Great is portrayed as the epitome of moral and spiritual corruption, indulging in luxuries, persecuting the righteous, and opposing God.
Babylon is destroyed as a result of divine judgment, emphasizing that no power, however great, can stand against God's will.
Both Babylon in Revelation and Atlantis in Plato's account are destroyed suddenly and completely, leaving a lasting impression of the consequences of corruption.
Some interpreters may draw a parallel between Atlantis and Babylon as both symbolize the fall of great civilizations due to moral decay and divine retribution.
Allegorical Reading: In a broader allegorical sense, one could interpret "Babylon the Great" in Revelation as representing any civilization or system that, like Atlantis, rises to power but eventually falls due to its opposition to divine principles and moral order.
While Revelation 17 and 18 do not explicitly identify Babylon as Atlantis, the symbolic parallels between the two can be drawn, especially in terms of their representation of corrupt and powerful civilizations that face divine judgment and destruction.
Verse: "The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered with its tumultuous waves.
Verse: "Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: 'With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.'"
Atlantis was described by Plato as being swallowed by the sea and disappearing without a trace, much like the fate of Babylon in this apocalyptic vision.
The Deluge of the Chaldeans
The one most anciently known, and also the shorter, is that which Berosus took from the sacred books of Babylon, and introduced into the history that he wrote for the use of the Greeks.
The voice further said that they were to return to Babylon, and, conformably to the decrees of fate, disinter the writings buried at Sippara in order to transmit them to men.
These, then, having heard the voice, sacrificed to the gods and returned on foot to Babylon.
As to the companions of Xisuthros, they came to Babylon, disinterred the writings left at Sippara, founded numerous cities, built temples, and restored Babylon."
Historical Context: The stories of Oannes come primarily from later Babylonian sources and are associated with Berossus, a Babylonian priest of the Hellenistic period who wrote a history of Babylon.
Berossus' Account: The most famous account of Oannes comes from Berossus, a Babylonian priest who wrote a history of Babylon called the Babyloniaca around the 3rd century BCE.
This collection includes various texts from Assyria and Babylon that describe mythological figures and sages.
Iraq Museum, Baghdad: Located in the heart of Mesopotamia, the Iraq Museum houses numerous artifacts and texts from ancient Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylon, many of which relate to their mythology and historical traditions.
Context: Part of a taunt against the king of Babylon, expressing his prideful ambition.
The Baal Cycle
This imagery parallels biblical taunts against arrogant rulers, such as the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14.
Isaiah 14 uses this imagery to describe the fall of Babylon, employing the same motifs found in the Baal Epic.
The taunt against the king of Babylon likens his fall to that of Athtar, emphasizing the futility of human pride and ambition.
The Assyrian Empire, which had dominated the region, was in decline, and Babylon was rising in power.
He was killed by Egyptian forces led by Pharaoh Necho II, who was passing through Judah to support the Assyrians against Babylon (2 Kings 23:29-30).
Estimates of human origins
The destruction of the First Temple and the exile of the Judahite elite to Babylon led to significant theological and liturgical developments, including the increased emphasis on Torah study and the role of synagogues as places of worship.
Genesis Contains a History of Atlantis
1585, quotes a native legend about the building of the great pyramid of Cholula, which closely resembles the Bible record of the Tower of Babel.
The Deluge Legends of America
The legends of preserving knowledge on pillars and the story of the Tower of Babel reflect the efforts of ancient civilizations to survive and maintain their culture and wisdom against the backdrop of such existential threats.
The Chaldean Deluge
Xisuthros and his family are then taken to dwell with the gods, while the survivors return to Babylon to disinter sacred writings and rebuild civilization.
The Destruction of Atlantis
1585, quotes a native legend about the building of the great pyramid of Cholula, which closely resembles the Bible record of the Tower of Babel.
Temple Rituals: Elaborate rituals were conducted in the temples, especially in the Esagila, the main temple dedicated to Marduk in Babylon.
The Akitu Festival, also known as the Akitu or Akitum, was an important religious celebration in ancient Mesopotamia, particularly in Babylon and Assyria.
Gods' Procession: Statues of gods from various temples in Babylon and nearby cities were brought to the Esagila, Marduk's temple.
The most important of these were associated with the chief deity of the city-state, particularly Marduk in Babylon.
Location: Babylon
Significance: Esagila was the main temple of Marduk in Babylon and the central site for the Akitu Festival.
Location: Babylon
Significance: Etemenanki was the great ziggurat of Babylon, often identified with the biblical Tower of Babel.
Location: Outside Babylon
Significance: The Bit Akitu, or House of Akitu, was a special temple located outside the city walls of Babylon.
While Babylon's Akitu Festival is the most well-documented, other Mesopotamian cities also celebrated similar festivals for their principal deities:
His temple, Ezida, in Borsippa (near Babylon), was involved in the festivities.
The Holy Seven
Enmebulugga, Cleobulus of Lindos, Gautama Maharishi, Yan Hui, Aaron, Kanakamuni Buddha, and the Master of Babylon, together with their associations to Jupiter, Eloaios, the metal Copper, and the virtue Faith, represent influential figures known for their spiritual depth, leadership in religious contexts, and their contributions to the prosperity and ethical guidance of their communities.
The Master of Babylon might symbolize the amalgamation of wisdom and governance associated with the historical significance of Babylon in developing early religious and legal structures.
Uriel
The first vision takes place as Ezra is still in Babylon.
Egypt first discovered by a woman
The Chaldean language, known as a Semitic language historically spoken in the Chaldean Dynasty of Babylon, does not have a direct connection to the naming of Egypt.