Page 81 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Revised

2. The student should be able to describe how the Babylonian environment affected the Jewish nation in
exile.

3. The student should be able to describe how specific life experiences of the Jews in Babylon impacted
their way of life in the latter stages of their captivity.

4. The student should be able to describe how the Babylonian environment and the Jewish experiences
there inform the meaning of the scriptures written in that time or for that time.

4. The student should be able to conceptualize and explain God’s preservation and preparation of his
people in exile.

The Lesson ...

Location and history

Babylon (Chaldea) is known to have been in
existence even by the time of the Jewish patriarchs
such as Abraham (2000 BCE). Notably, its sixth
ruler, Hammurabi (1792-1750 BCE), is widely
considered a contemporary of Abraham. It was
known as the political seat of southern
Mesopotamia; the region of Babylonia was
referred to as “the land of the Chaldeans” (Jer.
24:5; Ezek. 12:13). It is an extensive province in
Central Asia [modern-day Baghdad] along the
valley of the Tigris from the Persian Gulf northward
for some 300 miles. It was famed for its fertility
and riches. Its capital was the city of Babylon, a
great commercial center. (Ezek. 17:4; Isa. 43:14) 107

Babylon was “one of the most important cities of Mesopotamia, whose ancient name probably meant
‘the gate of the gods’. The ancient Hebrews understood the name differently: ‘Therefore is the name of
it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth’ (Gen. 11:9). Babylon is
the Greek form of the name.” 108 In the Assyrian tablets, it means “The city of the dispersion of the
tribes.” It stood on the Euphrates, about 200 miles above its junction with the Tigris, which flowed
through its midst and divided it into two almost equal parts. Under Nebuchadnezzar, it became one of
the most splendid cities of the ancient world. 109

107 Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.

108 Negev, A. (1990). In The Archaeological encyclopedia of the Holy Land (3rd ed.). New York: Prentice Hall Press.
109 Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.

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