Nebuchadrezzar in Biblical History

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Who is Nebuchadrezzar?
NEBUCHADREZ'ZAR
, the son and successor of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Babylonish monarchy, was the most illustrious of these kings, and one of the greatest rulers of history. 2 Kgs 24:1; Dan 1-4. We know most of him through the book of Daniel; but we read of him also in Cameo of Nebuchadnezzar. Berosus and upon numerous monuments. In the Berlin Museum there is a black cameo with his head upon it, cut by his order, with the inscription, "In honor of Merodach, his lord, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in his life-time had this made." From these various sources the following details have been derived. Nebuchadnezzar was entrusted by his father with the important task of repelling Pharaoh-necho, and succeeded in defeating him at Carchemish, on the Euphrates (b.c. 605), Jer 46:2, and brought under subjection all the territory Necho had occupied, including Syria and Palestine, overrunning these countries, taking Jerusalem, and carrying off a portion of the inhabitants as prisoners, including Daniel and his companions. Dan 1:1-4. Having learned that his father had died, Nebuchadnezzar hastened back to Babylon and planted himself firmly on the throne, giving to his generals instructions to bring the Jewish, Phoenician, Syrian, and Egyptian captives to Babylon. Thus the remark, "In his days Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years," 2 Kgs 24:1, is easily explained. The title is given by anticipation, and the "three years" are to be reckoned from 605 to 603 inclusive. The rebellion of Jehoiakim, entered upon, probably, because Nebuchadnezzar was carrying on wars in other parts of Asia, took place b.c. 602, and was punished by the irruption of Chaldaeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites, incited, perhaps, by Nebuchadnezzar, who, as soon as possible, sent his troops against Jerusalem, and had him taken prisoner, but ultimately released him. See Jehoiakim. 2 Kgs 24:2. After his death his son Jehoiachin reigned, and against him Nebuchadnezzar, for the third time, invaded Palestine and besieged Jerusalem. Jehoiachin and his family and household voluntarily submitted themselves, the city was taken. and all the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the palace, and all the principal inhabitants of the city, were carried to Babylon. 2 Kgs 24:12-16. Mattaniah, the uncle of Jehoiachin, whose name was changed to Zedekiah, was put upon the throne, but after a reign of nearly ten years he rebelled, and was punished by Nebuchadnezzar, who went up against Jerusalem and reduced the city to the horrors of famine before taking it. Zedekiah's two sons were killed before his eyes and then his eyes put out, and he, as a captive, was carried to Babylon. b.c. 588. 2 Kgs 25:7. On Nebuchadnezzar's order, Jeremiah was kindly treated. Jer 39:11-14. The scenes related in the first four chapters of Daniel occurred during Nebuchadnezzar's reign. See Daniel. Two incidents there recorded have received remarkable confirmation from recently-deciphered inscriptions, which are quoted by Dr. Buddensieg in his pamphlet Die Assyrischen Ausgrabungen und das Alte Testament, 1880 ("The Assyrian Excavations and the Old Testament"), pp. 64, 65. The words, "The king spake and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of my kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?" Dan 4:30, are proved to be characteristic by those on an inscription: "I say it, I have built the great house which is the centre of Babylon for the seat of my rule in Babylon." Of the king's madness there is of course no direct mention. But Inscribed Brick of Nebuchadnezzar. there is an inscription which is read by Sir H. Rawlinson in a manner which finds its readiest explanation in the fact stated in Dan 4:33: "For four years the residence of my kingdom did not delight my heart; in no one of my possessions did I erect any important building by my might. I did not put up buildings in Babylon for myself and for the honor of my name. In the worship of Merodach, my god, I did not sing his praise, nor did I provide his altar with sacrifices, nor clean the canals." Nebuchadnezzar was a mighty monarch, and is denominated "king of kings" by Daniel, Dan 2:37, and ruler of a "kingdom with power and strength and glory." He gave much attention to the architectural adornment of Babylon, and amongst other great structures built the hanging-gardens, on a large and artificial mound, terraced up to look like a hill. This great work, called by the ancients one of the Seven Wonders of the world, was executed in order to please his wife, whose maiden home had been in a hilly country. Secular history also tells us of vast projects of irrigation and a canal system which he carried out. An idea of the extent of this monarch's building enterprises may be drawn from the fact that nine-tenths of the bricks found amongst the ruins of the ancient capital are inscribed with his name. Nebuchadnezzar was a cruel despot and the perfect type of an Oriental autocrat, as is proven by the murder of the two boys in the presence of their father, Zedekiah, the resolution to punish a failure to discover his dream, Dan 2, with the death of the astrologers, etc., and the requisition of worship for the golden image on the plain of Dura. He is said to have worshipped the "King of heaven," Dan 4:37, but it may be questioned whether he did not conceive of the Jehovah of the Hebrews to be only one of many gods. He died about b.c. 561. after a reign of 44 years.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'nebuchadrezzar' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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