The Babylonian Empire

The roots of the great Babylonian Empire trace back to 633 bc, when the Chaldean Nabopolassar rose to prominence in southeastern Mesopotamia. He revolted against the Assyrians shortly after the reign of Ashurbanipal, decisively defeating the Assyrian general Sin-sar-iskun in the battle of Uruk. Nabopolassar declared his independence and formally ascended to the throne of Babylon on November 23, 626 bc. In 623 bc, he again defeated Sin-sar-iskun, now king of Assyria, and expelled the Assyrians from Babylonia.

Not content with ruling Babylon, Nabopolassar invaded Assyria and took the sacred city of Asshur in 614 bc. He then made an alliance with the Medes and Scythians and surrounded Nineveh in 612 bc. Shortly thereafter, after a fortuitous flood of the Tigris River opened a breach in the city walls and the allies captured the Assyrian capital. The Assyrians moved their capital to Haran and sought the help of the Egyptians under Pharaoh Neco. In 609 bc, Josiah attempted to intercept the Egyptians at Megiddo, losing his life in the resulting battle. Later that year, under the command of general Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonians defeated the combined Assyrian and Egyptian armies at Haran, pushing the Assyrians across the Euphrates River. The final battle between these groups took place at Carchemish in 605 bc. The Assyrian Empire was effectively destroyed and the Egyptians were forced to return to Egypt.

The Babylonians then proceeded south to Jerusalem, forcing the city to pay tribute and surrender prisoners, including Daniel and his three friends. When Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem in 605 bc, the Jewish king was Jehoiakim (608–598 bc), the son of Josiah. Although the Jews had made his younger brother Jehoahaz the king following Josiah’s death in 609 bc, the Egyptians had deposed Jehoahaz after a three-month reign. Nebuchadnezzar forced Jehoiakim to swear allegiance to Babylon and allowed him to remain as king. Shortly after taking Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar heard of his father Nabopolassar’s death in Babylon. He rushed back to the capital to solidify his claim to the throne.

Jehoiakim remained loyal to Nebuchadnezzar for three years. But in 602 bc, rejecting the advice of Jeremiah, Jehoiakim rebelled against the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar responded by invading Judah with the help of the Arameans, Moabites, and Ammonites. As the Babylonians approached the city, Jehoiakim was killed by his own court and dragged through the streets of Jerusalem. He was succeeded by his son, Jehoiachin (598–597 bc), but after a three-month reign, Jehoiachin was captured by the Babylonians when Jerusalem fell. He was taken to Babylon and lived the remainder of his days in exile. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah (597–586 bc), yet another son of Josiah, to rule over Judah. Following the example of his brother, Zedekiah also rejected the advice of Jeremiah and rebelled against the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar returned to Jerusalem and laid siege to the city on January 15, 588 bc. After a horrific 30-month siege, the city fell on July 18, 586 bc. Zedekiah was captured by the Babylonians after initially fleeing to Jericho. He was then brought before Nebuchadnezzar at his headquarters in Riblah, where he was forced to witness the execution of his sons before being blinded and taken to Babylon with an ox ring through his nose.

Israel P. Loken

Further Reading:

Nebuchadnezzar CLBD

Nebuchadnezzar HBD

Nabopolassar HBD