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Babylon

Babylon City

CityOld Testament & New Testament
32.5429°N, 44.4209°E View on Map

About Babylon

Babylon was the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews into exile here for 70 years. Daniel and his friends served in the Babylonian court. The Tower of Babel, where God confused human language, was built in this region. In Revelation, Babylon symbolizes worldly power opposed to God.

Events at Babylon

The tower of Babel
The tower of Babel

Babylon · GEN 11:9

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The fiery furnace
The fiery furnace

Babylon · DAN 3:25

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Daniel in the lions' den
Daniel in the lions' den

Babylon · DAN 6:16

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DanielLinked to this placeDanielServed as advisor to Babylonian and Persian kings; interpreted dreams and visions

History of Babylon

  1. Primeval~2200 BC

    Tower of Babel built; God confuses languages and scatters humanity

    GEN 11:1-9

  2. Patriarchal~2000 BC

    Abraham leaves Ur of the Chaldeans, near Babylon

    GEN 11:31

  3. Divided Kingdom605 BC

    Nebuchadnezzar defeats Egypt at Carchemish; first deportation of Jews including Daniel

    DAN 1:1-6

  4. Exile~600 BC

    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the fiery furnace

    DAN 3:1-30

  5. Exile597 BC

    Second deportation; King Jehoiachin taken to Babylon

    2KI 24:10-16

  6. Exile586 BC

    Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed; third and final deportation

    2KI 25:8-21

  7. Exile539 BC

    Writing on the wall at Belshazzar's feast; Babylon falls that night to Persia

    DAN 5:1-31

  8. Return538 BC

    Cyrus issues decree allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem

    EZR 1:1-4

Notable Characters in Babylon

Daniel
Daniel

Served as advisor to Babylonian and Persian kings; interpreted dreams and visions

Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar

King who conquered Jerusalem and built Babylon into a great empire

Ezekiel
Ezekiel

Prophet who ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon

Jeremiah
Jeremiah

Prophet who predicted the 70-year exile in Babylon

Locations Related to Babylon

Jerusalem
Jerusalem

Capital of Judah destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC; exiles taken from here

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Persia
Persia

Empire that conquered Babylon in 539 BC under Cyrus

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Biblical Significance of Babylon

Babylon occupies a unique place in Scripture as both a real city and a powerful symbol. In Genesis, the Tower of Babel represents humanity's first organized rebellion against God. Historically, Babylon became the instrument of God's judgment against Judah, destroying Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. Yet it was also where faithful exiles like Daniel and Ezekiel demonstrated that God could be served even in the heart of a pagan empire. In Revelation, Babylon becomes the symbolic name for worldly systems opposed to God, representing pride, idolatry, and persecution of God's people.

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