Babylon in the Bible

Babylon was the Mesopotamian imperial city associated in Scripture above all with Judah's exile. Babylonian forces captured Jerusalem, destroyed the First Temple, and deported part of the population. Daniel's opening chapters are set within the Babylonian court. Later biblical writings also use “Babylon” symbolically for arrogant and oppressive world power.

Historical Context

The archaeological site of ancient Babylon lies near modern Hillah in Iraq. The Neo-Babylonian period, especially under Nebuchadnezzar II, provides the historical setting for the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. In later Jewish and Christian texts the city's historical memory becomes a powerful theological symbol, so readers should distinguish the geographical city from symbolic uses of its name.

Location Details

Country: Iraq

Region: Mesopotamia

Coordinates: 32.536400, 44.420800

Type: City

Bible Verses About Babylon

2 Kings 24:10

At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.

2 Kings 25:1

And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.

Psalms 137:1

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Jeremiah 29:1

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;

Daniel 1:1

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

1 Peter 5:13

The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

Revelation 17:5

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.