 |  |
nations, as recorded in the book of Genesis, but of the old Babylonian Empire very little
is known. The Scriptures tell us that Nimrod was the founder of Babylon:--
"The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the
land of Shinar. Out of that land (he) went forth (into) Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and
the city boulevards, and Calab, and Resen between Nineveh and Calab, the same is a
great city" (Gen. 10: 10-12).
Rebellion saw the foundation of Babel, rebellion saw its overthrow under the reign of
Belshazzar, and rebellion will be its work at the end (see Revelation). At some
subsequent period the Semites (descendants of Shem) invaded the territory, and settled in
Ur, Nippur, and other cities.
The earliest historical king is Sargon of Agade. Later on a Semitic king named
Khammuribi (identified with the Amraphel, king of Shinar, of Gen. 14:) made his power
felt. About B.100: 1800 Babylonia was invaded by the Cassites. The Semitic emigration
northwards to Assyria already commenced was increased under the oppression of the
Cassites, and about B.100: 1700 the northern portion of the empire asserted its
independence, and Assyria became an independent kingdom. Gradually the Assyrian
power ascended and the Babylonian waned, until about B.100: 1275 Tukuli Adar 1:, king of
Assyria, effected the conquest of Babylonia. A succession of kings, some figuring in
Israel's history like Shalmanezer 2:, Tiglath Pileser 3: (Pul, king of Assyria,
II Kings 15: 19), and Sennacherib carry on Assyria's eventful history, until after reaching
a most dazzling pitch under Ashur-bani-pal Nineveh was besieged by the combined
forces of Cyaxares of Media, and of Nabopolassar (an Assyrian general holding a
command in Babylonia), captured and destroyed, and the empire divided among its
conquerors. Babylonia and some other territory fell to the share of Nabopolassar who
founded the New Babylonian Empire. This new empire was destined to have a brilliant
but brief existence. It lasted seventy years, the time strangely enough of Israel's
captivity, and fell under the stroke of God by the instrumentality of Cyrus.
Turning now to Wall Cases, we shall see a collection of bricks bearing the name and
titles of Nebuchadnezzar. On some of them may still be seen traces of bitumen (the
"slime for mortar" of Gen. 11: 3). This is clearly seen on brick No. 165. No. 90,851 is a
bronze step from the lower part of a flight of steps in the ancient temple of Ezida at
Borsippa. The name and title of Nebuchadnezzar are inscribed on the edge.
Nebuchadnezzar has left us some remarkable accounts of his great architectural activities,
and the following quotations from the translation of Rev. 100: T. Ball will throw a great
deal of light upon the mind and works of the great king:--
"Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the prince exalted, the favourite of Merodach, the
pontiff supreme, the darling of Nebo, the mild, the possessor of wisdom, who the way of
their godhead seeketh after, who hath feared their lordship, the ruler unwearied who for
the maintenance of Esagilla and Ezida (see the bronze door step) daily is careful, and the
weal of Babylon and Borsippa seeketh after steadfastly, the wise, the prayerful. . . . the
princely son of Nabopolassar, King of Babylon, am 1:"