January
28
/ 2025
Born in 634 BC in what is now called Neo-Babylonia, Nebuchadnezzar II would one day become one of the greatest ancient Babylonian kings. The first-born son of his predecessor Nabopolassar, from a young age Nebuchadnezzar showed promise as the future leader of Babylon, defeating the Egyptian armies at Carchemish (605 BC) and thereby subduing both Syria and Phoenicia to Babylonian rule before he had even taken the throne himself. Despite his unquestioned accomplishments, Nebuchadnezz ar II is also known as one of the Bible’s greatest villains. In the book 2 Kings in the Old Testament, the Babylonian king laid siege to Jerusalem, stole valuable treasures from the temple, abducted the Judean king and his court, and seized and deported 10,000
