Difference between revisions of "Nebuchadrezzar II" - New World Encyclopedia
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Nebuchadrezzar seems to have prided himself on his constructions more than on his military victories. During the last century of [[Niniveh]]'s existence, Babylon had been greatly devastated. Nebuchadrezzar, continuing his father's work of reconstruction, aimed at making his capital one of the world's great cities. Old temples were restored, and new edifices of incredible magnificence were erected to the many gods of the Babylonian pantheon to complete the royal palace begun by Nabopolassar. Nothing was reprtedly spared, neither cedar-wood, nor bronze, gold, silver, and precious stones. An underground passage and a stone bridge connected the two parts of the city separated by the Euphrates. The city itself was rendered impregnable by the construction of a triple line of walls. | Nebuchadrezzar seems to have prided himself on his constructions more than on his military victories. During the last century of [[Niniveh]]'s existence, Babylon had been greatly devastated. Nebuchadrezzar, continuing his father's work of reconstruction, aimed at making his capital one of the world's great cities. Old temples were restored, and new edifices of incredible magnificence were erected to the many gods of the Babylonian pantheon to complete the royal palace begun by Nabopolassar. Nothing was reprtedly spared, neither cedar-wood, nor bronze, gold, silver, and precious stones. An underground passage and a stone bridge connected the two parts of the city separated by the Euphrates. The city itself was rendered impregnable by the construction of a triple line of walls. | ||
| − | Nor was Nebuchadrezzar's activity confined to the capital. He is credited with the restoration of the Lake of [[Sippar]], the opening of a port on the Persian Gulf, and the building of the famous Median wall between the Tigris and the Euphrates to protect the country against incursions from the North. These gigantic undertakings required an innumerable host of workmen. From the inscription of the great temple of [[Marduk]], we may infer that captives brought from various parts of Western Asia probably made up a large part of the laboring force used in all his public works. [[Image:Ishtar-Gate.jpg|thumb|300px|The reconstructed Ishtar Gate]] | + | Nor was Nebuchadrezzar's activity confined to the capital. He is credited with the restoration of the Lake of [[Sippar]], the opening of a port on the Persian Gulf, and the building of the famous Median wall between the Tigris and the Euphrates to protect the country against incursions from the North. These gigantic undertakings required an innumerable host of workmen. From the inscription of the great temple of [[Marduk]], we may infer that captives brought from various parts of Western Asia probably made up a large part of the laboring force used in all his public works. [[Image:Ishtar-Gate.jpg|thumb|300px|The reconstructed Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Museum.]] |
From Nebuchadrezzar's inscriptions and from the number of temples erected or restored by this prince we gather that he was a very devout man. What we know of his history shows him to have been of a humane disposition, in striking contrast with the display of wanton cruelty of most Assyrian rulers. It was due to this moderation that Jerusalem was spared repeatedly, until its destruction became a political necessity. Rebel princes easily obtained pardon, and even Judah's rebellious king [[Zedekiah]] would have been treated with greater indulgence had he manifested less stubbornness (Jer, 38:17-18). Nebuchadrezzar showed much consideration to [[Jeremiah]], leaving him free to accompany the exiles to Babylon or to remain in Jerusalem and appointing one of the prophet's friends, Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to the governorship of Judah. He granted likewise such a share of freedom to the exiled Jews that some rose to a position of prominence at court and Jeremiah reportedly thought it a duty to exhort his fellow-countrymen to have the welfare of Babylon at heart and to pray for her king (Jer. 29). Babylonian tradition has it that towards the end of his life, Nebuchadrezzar, inspired from on high, prophesied the impending ruin to the Chaldean Empire (Berosus and Abydenus in [[Eusebius]], ''Praep. Evang.'', 9.41). | From Nebuchadrezzar's inscriptions and from the number of temples erected or restored by this prince we gather that he was a very devout man. What we know of his history shows him to have been of a humane disposition, in striking contrast with the display of wanton cruelty of most Assyrian rulers. It was due to this moderation that Jerusalem was spared repeatedly, until its destruction became a political necessity. Rebel princes easily obtained pardon, and even Judah's rebellious king [[Zedekiah]] would have been treated with greater indulgence had he manifested less stubbornness (Jer, 38:17-18). Nebuchadrezzar showed much consideration to [[Jeremiah]], leaving him free to accompany the exiles to Babylon or to remain in Jerusalem and appointing one of the prophet's friends, Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to the governorship of Judah. He granted likewise such a share of freedom to the exiled Jews that some rose to a position of prominence at court and Jeremiah reportedly thought it a duty to exhort his fellow-countrymen to have the welfare of Babylon at heart and to pray for her king (Jer. 29). Babylonian tradition has it that towards the end of his life, Nebuchadrezzar, inspired from on high, prophesied the impending ruin to the Chaldean Empire (Berosus and Abydenus in [[Eusebius]], ''Praep. Evang.'', 9.41). | ||
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Despite these impressive historical achievements, Nebuchadrezzar is most widely known through the sometimes unflattering portrayal of him in the Bible, especially the book of Daniel and, to a lesser degree, the Book of Jeremiah. | Despite these impressive historical achievements, Nebuchadrezzar is most widely known through the sometimes unflattering portrayal of him in the Bible, especially the book of Daniel and, to a lesser degree, the Book of Jeremiah. | ||
| − | As mentioned earlier, the biblical King [[Josiah]] met his death at the battle of Meggido in an action supporting the newly ascendant Babylonians against the forces of Pharoah Necho II. [[Jeremiah]], whose career, like Josiah's, opposed alliance with Egypt, argued ardently in favor of Judah's coopration with Babylon, a stance that put him into direct conflict both with kings and other prophets speaking | + | As mentioned earlier, the biblical King [[Josiah]] met his death at the battle of Meggido in an action supporting the newly ascendant Babylonians against the forces of Pharoah Necho II. [[Jeremiah]], whose career, like Josiah's, opposed alliance with Egypt, argued ardently in favor of Judah's coopration with Babylon, a stance that put him into direct conflict both with Judah's later kings and with other prophets speaking. Jeremiah believed that Nebuchadrezzar was "God's servant" (Jer. 25:29) who had been raised up to chastise Judah for her sins. He urged the kings of Judah to act as Nebuchadrezzar's loyal vassals rather than to seek independence or cooperation with Egypt against Babylonian hegemony. For for speaking out in favor of Nebuchadrezzar, he narrowly avoided capital punishment, was banned from the Temple, endured beatings, and nearly starved to death in prison. As a result, when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, they showed Jeremiah great respect and unusual liberty (Jer 39:11-12). The prophet Ezekiel followed Jeremiah's lead in portraying Nebuchadrezzar as God's instrument to chastize both Tyre and Egypt (Ezek. 29-30). Even Nebuchadrezzar's destruction of Temple, according to Ezekiel, was carried out in accordance with God's will. (Ezek. 24:21) |
| − | [[Image:William Blake - Nebukadnezar.jpg|thumb|300px|right|William Blake's depiction of Nebuchadrezzar's animal-like years, from the Book of Daniel]] | + | [[Image:William Blake - Nebukadnezar.jpg|thumb|300px|right|William Blake's depiction of Nebuchadrezzar's animal-like years, from the Book of Daniel.]] |
| − | A different attitude toward Nebuchadrezzar is evident in the Book of Daniel. | + | A different attitude toward Nebuchadrezzar is evident in the Book of Daniel. Here, Nebuchadrezzar is the archetypal idol worshipper and tyrant. Although Daniel wins his favor by interpreting his dreams (Chapter 2), when the three young Hebrew noblemen Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to participate in Nebuchadrezzar's state-required idolatry, he arrogantly throws them into a super-heated furnance, where they are protected by God's angel. (Chapter 3) Because of his arrogance, Nebuchadrezzar loses his sanity and lives in the wild like an animal for seven years. (Chapter 4) He eventually repents, however, and affirms the supremacy of Daniel's deity. |
| − | Some scholars think that Daniel's portrayal of Nebuchadrezzar is a mixture of traditions about Nebuchadrezzar and [[Nabonidus]], the last king of Babylon. For example, the seven years of insanity could be related to Nabonidus' reported in the desert. | + | Some scholars think that Daniel's portrayal of Nebuchadrezzar is a mixture of traditions about Nebuchadrezzar and [[Nabonidus]], the last king of Babylon. For example, the seven years of insanity could be related to Nabonidus' reported in the desert. Evidence for this view was found on fragments from the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] that reference Nabonidus (N-b-n-y) being smitten by God with a fever for seven years of his reign while his son Belshazzar was regent. |
Nebuchadrezzar is also mentioned in several other biblical books, especially in the popular aprocryphal book, Judith. Here, however, he is referred to as the king of Assyria, ruling from Ninevah — a clear and perhaps intentional inaccuracy. | Nebuchadrezzar is also mentioned in several other biblical books, especially in the popular aprocryphal book, Judith. Here, however, he is referred to as the king of Assyria, ruling from Ninevah — a clear and perhaps intentional inaccuracy. | ||
== Successors == | == Successors == | ||
| − | After his death in October, 562 | + | After his death, probably in in October, 562 b.c.e., having reigned 43 years, Nebuchadrezzar was succeeded by his son [[Amel-Marduk]]. After a reign of two years, Amel-Marduk was succeeded by [[Neriglissar]] (559-555), who was succeeded by [[Nabonidus]] (555-538). At the close of the reign fo Nabonidus (less than a quarter of a century after the death of Nebuchadrezzar) Babylon fell to [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] of Persia at the head of the combined armies of Media and [[Persian Empire|Persia]]. |
| − | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 20:59, 3 July 2006
Nebuchadrezzar II (also Nebuchadnezzar; reigned 605 B.C.E. - 562 B.C.E.), is perhaps the best known ruler of Babylon in the Chaldean Dynasty. He is famous for his conquests of Judah, the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, forcing the citizens of Jerusalem into exile, his monumental building projects within his capital of Babylon, his role in the biblical books of Daniel and Jeremiah, and the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
He is traditionally called "Nebuchadnezzar the Great" and was referred to by the prophet Jeremiah as "God's servant." However, his destruction of Temple and his forcing the citizens of Judah into exile caused his vilification in other parts of the Bible and Judaic tradition. This has caused him to be interpreted very differently by Judeo-Christians in the west compared to contemporary Iraq, where he is glorified as a great historic leader.
Biography
Name and Family
Nebuchadrezzar was the oldest son and successor of Nabopolassar, who delivered Babylon from its dependence on Assyria and laid the great city of Nineveh in ruins. He reportedly married Amyitis, the daughter of the Median ruler Cyaxares, and thus the Median and Babylonian dynasties were united.
His name in Akkadian, Nabû-kudurri-sur, is interpreted as "O Nebo, defend..." (either) "my offspring", "my empire", or "my boundary stone" — Nebo being the Babylonian god of wisdom and son of the priamry deity, Marduk. In an inscription he styles himself "Nebo's favorite." The Hebrew form is נבוכדנאצר, Nəbūkadnệzzar, and sometimes (in Jeremiah and Ezekiel) נבוכדראצר, Nəbūkadrệzzar. The Septuagint and Vulgate Bibles have Ναβουχοδονοσορ, Nabuchodonosor, but the King James version re-introduces the Hebrew variants as Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadrezzar. We will use the latter in this article because it more closely resembles the Akkadian.
Military Exploits
When the Assyrian capital Ninevah was overrun by the Babylonians under Nabopolassar in 612 B.C.E., Egypt allied itslef with the Assyrians and marched in 609 to their aid. The Egyptian army of Pharaoh Necho II was delayed at Megiddo by the forces of King Josiah of Judah, who was killed in the battle. When the Egyptians met the full might of the Babylonian army, now led by the young general and crown prince Nebuchadrezzar, at Carchemish in 605, the combined Egyptian and Assyrian forces were soundly defeated. Assyria ceased to exist as an independent power, and Egypt retreated, no longer able to act as a significant force in the Middle East.
Ascending to the throne after his father's death, Nebuchadrezzar engaged in several successful military campaigns designed to increase Babylonian influence in Syria and Judah. A clash with the newly resurgent Egypt in 601, however, met with setbacks, leading to several rebellions among the states of the Levant, including Judah. Nebuchadrezzar soon dealt with these rebellions, capturing Jerusalem in 597 B.C.E., and bringing King Jehoiachin and other leading citizens of Judah to Babylon. When Pharaoh Apries attempted a new Egyptian invasion of Baylonian-conrolled Palestine in 589, Judah and other states of the region once again rebelled, despite advice to the contrary by such figures as the prophet Jeremiah. Another siege of Jerusalem occurred in 587/586, ending in the destruction of both the city and the Temple, as well as the deportation of a new wave of exiles to Babylon. Nebuchadrezzar then engaged in a 13-year long siege of great Phoenician city of Tyre (585-572 B.C.E.), which ended, if not in outright victory, with the Tyrians accepting Babylonian authority.
Following the pacification of Tyre, Nebuchadrezzar apparently turned again to Egypt. A clay tablet, now in the British Museum, bears the following inscription referring to his wars: "In the 37th year of Nebuchadrezzar, king of the country of Babylon, he went to Mitzraim (Egypt) to make war. Amasis, king of Egypt, collected [his army], and marched and spread abroad."
The greatest king of his age, Nebuchadrezzar died in Babylon between the second and sixth months of the forty-third year of his reign.
Building Projects
Having completed the subjugation of Phoenicia and inflicted chastisement on Egypt, Nebuchadrezzar set himself to rebuild and adorn the city of Babylon. He constructed canals, aqueducts, and reservoirs and made Babylon into one of the wonders of the ancient world. He ordered the complete reconstruction of the imperial grounds, including rebuilding the Etemenanki ziggurat and the construction of the fabulous Ishtar Gate — the most spectacular of eight gates that ringed the perimeter of Babylon. The Ishtar Gate survives today in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Nebuchadnezzar is also credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the "Seven Wonders" of the ancient world, said to have been built for his homesick wife, Amyitis.
Nebuchadrezzar seems to have prided himself on his constructions more than on his military victories. During the last century of Niniveh's existence, Babylon had been greatly devastated. Nebuchadrezzar, continuing his father's work of reconstruction, aimed at making his capital one of the world's great cities. Old temples were restored, and new edifices of incredible magnificence were erected to the many gods of the Babylonian pantheon to complete the royal palace begun by Nabopolassar. Nothing was reprtedly spared, neither cedar-wood, nor bronze, gold, silver, and precious stones. An underground passage and a stone bridge connected the two parts of the city separated by the Euphrates. The city itself was rendered impregnable by the construction of a triple line of walls.
Nor was Nebuchadrezzar's activity confined to the capital. He is credited with the restoration of the Lake of Sippar, the opening of a port on the Persian Gulf, and the building of the famous Median wall between the Tigris and the Euphrates to protect the country against incursions from the North. These gigantic undertakings required an innumerable host of workmen. From the inscription of the great temple of Marduk, we may infer that captives brought from various parts of Western Asia probably made up a large part of the laboring force used in all his public works.
From Nebuchadrezzar's inscriptions and from the number of temples erected or restored by this prince we gather that he was a very devout man. What we know of his history shows him to have been of a humane disposition, in striking contrast with the display of wanton cruelty of most Assyrian rulers. It was due to this moderation that Jerusalem was spared repeatedly, until its destruction became a political necessity. Rebel princes easily obtained pardon, and even Judah's rebellious king Zedekiah would have been treated with greater indulgence had he manifested less stubbornness (Jer, 38:17-18). Nebuchadrezzar showed much consideration to Jeremiah, leaving him free to accompany the exiles to Babylon or to remain in Jerusalem and appointing one of the prophet's friends, Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to the governorship of Judah. He granted likewise such a share of freedom to the exiled Jews that some rose to a position of prominence at court and Jeremiah reportedly thought it a duty to exhort his fellow-countrymen to have the welfare of Babylon at heart and to pray for her king (Jer. 29). Babylonian tradition has it that towards the end of his life, Nebuchadrezzar, inspired from on high, prophesied the impending ruin to the Chaldean Empire (Berosus and Abydenus in Eusebius, Praep. Evang., 9.41).
Portrayal in the Bible
Despite these impressive historical achievements, Nebuchadrezzar is most widely known through the sometimes unflattering portrayal of him in the Bible, especially the book of Daniel and, to a lesser degree, the Book of Jeremiah.
As mentioned earlier, the biblical King Josiah met his death at the battle of Meggido in an action supporting the newly ascendant Babylonians against the forces of Pharoah Necho II. Jeremiah, whose career, like Josiah's, opposed alliance with Egypt, argued ardently in favor of Judah's coopration with Babylon, a stance that put him into direct conflict both with Judah's later kings and with other prophets speaking. Jeremiah believed that Nebuchadrezzar was "God's servant" (Jer. 25:29) who had been raised up to chastise Judah for her sins. He urged the kings of Judah to act as Nebuchadrezzar's loyal vassals rather than to seek independence or cooperation with Egypt against Babylonian hegemony. For for speaking out in favor of Nebuchadrezzar, he narrowly avoided capital punishment, was banned from the Temple, endured beatings, and nearly starved to death in prison. As a result, when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, they showed Jeremiah great respect and unusual liberty (Jer 39:11-12). The prophet Ezekiel followed Jeremiah's lead in portraying Nebuchadrezzar as God's instrument to chastize both Tyre and Egypt (Ezek. 29-30). Even Nebuchadrezzar's destruction of Temple, according to Ezekiel, was carried out in accordance with God's will. (Ezek. 24:21)
A different attitude toward Nebuchadrezzar is evident in the Book of Daniel. Here, Nebuchadrezzar is the archetypal idol worshipper and tyrant. Although Daniel wins his favor by interpreting his dreams (Chapter 2), when the three young Hebrew noblemen Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to participate in Nebuchadrezzar's state-required idolatry, he arrogantly throws them into a super-heated furnance, where they are protected by God's angel. (Chapter 3) Because of his arrogance, Nebuchadrezzar loses his sanity and lives in the wild like an animal for seven years. (Chapter 4) He eventually repents, however, and affirms the supremacy of Daniel's deity.
Some scholars think that Daniel's portrayal of Nebuchadrezzar is a mixture of traditions about Nebuchadrezzar and Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon. For example, the seven years of insanity could be related to Nabonidus' reported in the desert. Evidence for this view was found on fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls that reference Nabonidus (N-b-n-y) being smitten by God with a fever for seven years of his reign while his son Belshazzar was regent.
Nebuchadrezzar is also mentioned in several other biblical books, especially in the popular aprocryphal book, Judith. Here, however, he is referred to as the king of Assyria, ruling from Ninevah — a clear and perhaps intentional inaccuracy.
Successors
After his death, probably in in October, 562 B.C.E., having reigned 43 years, Nebuchadrezzar was succeeded by his son Amel-Marduk. After a reign of two years, Amel-Marduk was succeeded by Neriglissar (559-555), who was succeeded by Nabonidus (555-538). At the close of the reign fo Nabonidus (less than a quarter of a century after the death of Nebuchadrezzar) Babylon fell to Cyrus of Persia at the head of the combined armies of Media and Persia.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Chapter 23, "The Chaldaean Kings" in George Roux, Ancient Iraq (3rd ed.). London: Penguin Books, 1992. ISBN 014012523-X
- ABC 5: Chronicle Concerning the Early Years of Nebuchadnezzar
- Nabuchodonosor on the Catholic Encyclopedia
This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.
This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.
External links
- Inscription of Nabuchadnezzar. Babylonian and Assyrian Literature - old translation
- Nabuchadnezzar Ishtar gate Inscription
| Preceded by: Nabopolassar |
King of Babylon 605–562 B.C.E. |
Succeeded by: Amel-Marduk |
ca:Nabucodonosor de:Nebukadnezar II. el:Ναβουχοδονόσορ Β' es:Nabucodonosor II et:Nebukadnetsar II fi:Nebukadressar II fr:Nabuchodonosor II he:נבוכדנצר השני it:Nabucodonosor ja:ネブカドネザル2世 lv:Nebukadnecars II nl:Nebukadnezar II van Babylon no:Nebukadnesar II pl:Nabuchodonozor II pt:Nabucodonosor II ro:Nabucodonosor ru:Навуходоносор II sl:Nebukadnezar II. sr:Набукодонозор sv:Nebukadnessar II sw:Nebuchadnezzar yi:נבוכדנאצר (2) zh:尼布甲尼撒二世
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