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{{성경지명 | <!-- interlanguage:start -->[[ko:바벨론]]<!-- interlanguage:end -->{{성경지명 | ||
|image= [[file:Ancient City of Babylon.jpg|thumb|center|View of the ancient city of Babylon]] | |image= [[file:Ancient City of Babylon.jpg|thumb|center|View of the ancient city of Babylon]] | ||
|title=Babylon | |title=Babylon | ||
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|Features=The center of western Asian civilization,<br>a symbol of the false church opposing God | |Features=The center of western Asian civilization,<br>a symbol of the false church opposing God | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Babylon''' was an ancient city in Mesopotamia, often referenced in the [[Bible]] to signify Babylonia—the kingdom with Babylon as its capital—especially during the period of the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Neo-Babylonian-Empire Neo-Babylonian Empire]. Around 586 | '''Babylon''' was an ancient city in Mesopotamia, often referenced in the [[Bible]] to signify Babylonia—the kingdom with Babylon as its capital—especially during the period of the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Neo-Babylonian-Empire Neo-Babylonian Empire]. Around 586 B.C., the Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered the southern kingdom of Judah. However, in 539 B.C., the empire was overthrown by [[Cyrus (II)|Cyrus II]] of the Medo-Persian Empire. | ||
In the [[The New Testament|New Testament]], particularly in the book of Revelation, Babylon symbolizes false churches opposing God and serves as a dwelling place of [[Satan (Devil)|Satan]], destined for judgment. | In the [[The New Testament|New Testament]], particularly in the book of Revelation, Babylon symbolizes false churches opposing God and serves as a dwelling place of [[Satan (Devil)|Satan]], destined for judgment. | ||
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===Neo-Babylonian Empire (Chaldean Dynasty)=== | ===Neo-Babylonian Empire (Chaldean Dynasty)=== | ||
[[file:Empire neo babylonien.png|thumb|295x295px|Territory of the Neo-Babylonian Empire]] | [[file:Empire neo babylonien.png|thumb|295x295px|Territory of the Neo-Babylonian Empire]] | ||
Around 625 B.C., as Assyria’s power waned during the reign of King Ashurbanipal, Nabopolassar of Chaldea declared independence in the city of Babylon and became the first king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Around 612 B.C., Babylon allied with Media to capture [[Nineveh]], the capital of Assyria, securing a decisive victory. [[Nebuchadnezzar]] II (reigned 605–562 | Around 625 B.C., as Assyria’s power waned during the reign of King Ashurbanipal, Nabopolassar of Chaldea declared independence in the city of Babylon and became the first king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Around 612 B.C., Babylon allied with Media to capture [[Nineveh]], the capital of Assyria, securing a decisive victory. [[Nebuchadnezzar]] II (reigned 605–562 B.C.), the son of Nabopolassar, ascended the throne and led the Neo-Babylonian Empire into its golden age. | ||
===Fall to the Persian Empire=== | ===Fall to the Persian Empire=== | ||
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==Babylon in the Bible== | ==Babylon in the Bible== | ||
Babylon (Neo-Babylonian Empire) is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament during the period of the divided kingdoms of Israel and the Babylonian Exile. When the [[Southern Kingdom of Judah|southern kingdom of Judah]] fell into [[idol]]<nowiki/>atry and broke [[Covenant | Babylon (Neo-Babylonian Empire) is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament during the period of the divided kingdoms of Israel and the Babylonian Exile. When the [[Southern Kingdom of Judah|southern kingdom of Judah]] fell into [[idol]]<nowiki/>atry and broke [[God’s Covenant|God’s covenant]], God punished Judah through King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+25%3A1-4&version=NIV |title=2 Kings 25:1–4 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> However, God prophesied that, in due time, the people of Judah would return to their homeland, and Babylon, which oppressed His people, would be destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+25%3A9-12&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 25:9–12 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+24%3A5-7&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 24:5–7 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> When the prophesied period was fulfilled, Babylon fell to King Cyrus of the Medo-Persian Empire, and the people of Judah were liberated to return to their homeland.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+1%3A1-3&version=NIV |title=Ezra 1:1–3 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
===Period of the Divided Kingdom of Israel=== | ===Period of the Divided Kingdom of Israel=== | ||
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:Around 606 B.C., Babylon invaded Judah and took the royal family and noble youths as hostages. The purpose was to educate them in the language and literature of Babylon for the administration of Judah.<ref>[https://alkitab.sabda.org/resource.php?topic=3232&res=constable B. Nebuchadnezzar's training program for promising youths 1:3-7], ''Alkitab SABDA''</ref> Among those taken captive to Babylon at that time were Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego). | :Around 606 B.C., Babylon invaded Judah and took the royal family and noble youths as hostages. The purpose was to educate them in the language and literature of Babylon for the administration of Judah.<ref>[https://alkitab.sabda.org/resource.php?topic=3232&res=constable B. Nebuchadnezzar's training program for promising youths 1:3-7], ''Alkitab SABDA''</ref> Among those taken captive to Babylon at that time were Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego). | ||
*'''Second Babylonian Exile''' | *'''Second Babylonian Exile''' | ||
:Around 597 | :Around 597 B.C., Babylon captured approximately 10,000 of Jerusalem’s finest individuals as captives.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+24%3A12-14&version=NIV |title=2 Kings 24:12–14|publisher= |quote= }}</ref> King Jehoiachin, who succeeded Jehoiakim, was also taken captive, and his uncle Zedekiah was appointed king of Judah. The prophet [[Jeremiah (Prophet)|Jeremiah]] foretold that Jerusalem would be destroyed and that the people would live as captives in Babylon for 70 years. He emphasized that the invasion by Babylon was God’s punishment for the idolatry and wickedness of Judah, urging the people to surrender to Babylon. However, the people were more inclined to listen to the messages of peace from false prophets like Hananiah than to the judgment proclaimed by Jeremiah. | ||
*'''Third Babylonian Exile''' | *'''Third Babylonian Exile''' | ||
:Around 588 B.C., King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon led his army to lay siege to Jerusalem. Zedekiah was offered honorable treatment if he surrendered, but he disregarded Jeremiah’s advice and chose to resist. Around 586 B.C., [[Jerusalem]] was ultimately captured by the Babylonian army after an 18-month siege. | :Around 588 B.C., King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon led his army to lay siege to Jerusalem. Zedekiah was offered honorable treatment if he surrendered, but he disregarded Jeremiah’s advice and chose to resist. Around 586 B.C., [[Jerusalem]] was ultimately captured by the Babylonian army after an 18-month siege. | ||
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:Zedekiah fled toward the Arabah but was captured by Babylonian soldiers in the plains of Jericho. Before Zedekiah’s eyes, his sons were killed; then his eyes were put out, and he was bound with shackles and taken to Babylon.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+39%3A4-7&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 39:4–7 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard of Babylon left behind some of the poorest people in Jerusalem to work the vineyards and fields while taking the rest of the population captive. He also carried away all the sacred articles of the [[temple]] to Babylon, leaving nothing of value in Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+25%3A12-13&version=NIV |title=2 Kings 25:12–13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | :Zedekiah fled toward the Arabah but was captured by Babylonian soldiers in the plains of Jericho. Before Zedekiah’s eyes, his sons were killed; then his eyes were put out, and he was bound with shackles and taken to Babylon.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+39%3A4-7&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 39:4–7 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard of Babylon left behind some of the poorest people in Jerusalem to work the vineyards and fields while taking the rest of the population captive. He also carried away all the sacred articles of the [[temple]] to Babylon, leaving nothing of value in Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+25%3A12-13&version=NIV |title=2 Kings 25:12–13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
{{quote5 |내용= The Babylonians set fire to the royal palace and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard carried into exile to Babylon the people who remained in the city, along with those who had gone over to him, and the rest of the people. But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields. |출처= [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2039%3A8%E2%80%9310&version=NIV Jeremiah 39:8–10]}} | {{quote5 |내용= The Babylonians set fire to the royal palace and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard carried into exile to Babylon the people who remained in the city, along with those who had gone over to him, and the rest of the people. But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields. |출처= [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2039%3A8%E2%80%9310&version=NIV Jeremiah 39:8–10]}} | ||
:After the fall of Jerusalem and witnessing the tragic sight of the people dying within the city, Jeremiah mourned and wrote the [[ | :After the fall of Jerusalem and witnessing the tragic sight of the people dying within the city, Jeremiah mourned and wrote the [[Lamentations|Lamentations]]. | ||
<small>{{참고|Babylonian Captivity|설명=}}</small> | <small>{{참고|Babylonian Captivity|설명=}}</small> | ||
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===Identity of the Spiritual Babylon=== | ===Identity of the Spiritual Babylon=== | ||
In Revelation 17, a great prostitute is introduced, bearing the name “Babylon the Great.” | In Revelation 17, a great prostitute is introduced, bearing the name “Babylon the Great.” | ||
{{quote5 |내용= One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. . . .” The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER | {{quote5 |내용= One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. . . .” The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. |출처= [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2017%3A1%2C%205&version=NIV Revelation 17:1, 5]}} | ||
A prostitute refers to a woman who has committed adultery, and in the Bible, a woman symbolizes the [[church]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A13&version=NIV |title=1 Peter 5:13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A1&version=NIV |title=Matthew 25:1 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Spiritual adultery refers to having friendship with the world instead of with God.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A4&version=NIV |title=James 4:4 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Therefore, the prostitute seated on many waters<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+17%3A15&version=NIV |title=Revelation 17:15 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>—symbolizing her dominion over nations and peoples—represents Babylon the Great, a false church that has turned away from God and become secularized. Babylon the Great is referred to as the mother of prostitutes, signifying that there are false churches that have emerged from it. | A prostitute refers to a woman who has committed adultery, and in the Bible, a woman symbolizes the [[church]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A13&version=NIV |title=1 Peter 5:13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A1&version=NIV |title=Matthew 25:1 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Spiritual adultery refers to having friendship with the world instead of with God.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A4&version=NIV |title=James 4:4 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Therefore, the prostitute seated on many waters<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+17%3A15&version=NIV |title=Revelation 17:15 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>—symbolizing her dominion over nations and peoples—represents Babylon the Great, a false church that has turned away from God and become secularized. Babylon the Great is referred to as the mother of prostitutes, signifying that there are false churches that have emerged from it. | ||