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Βαβυλών

Babylṓn

G897 noun

SILEX Entry

Root Βαβυλων- Babylon, Mesopotamian city, center of empire

Definition

Babylon; the principal city and empire centered in Mesopotamia, known historically as a major ancient metropolis on the Euphrates River. Used to refer both to the literal, historical city of Babylon (the capital of Babylonia/Chaldea) and, in later literature, as a symbolic or figurative reference for an oppressive power or foreign cultural influence.

Semantic Range

Babylon (the city), Babylon (the empire/region), figurative symbol for oppressive powers, foreign cultural influence, allegorical enemy of the people of God

Root / Etymology

Borrowed from Hebrew בָּבֶל (Bāvel), the name of the ancient Mesopotamian city, possibly of Akkadian origin (Bab-ilu or Bab-ili, meaning 'gate of gods'). The Greek form simply transliterates the Semitic name.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek and Hellenistic sources, Βαβυλών refers to the historic city of Babylon and the surrounding region in Mesopotamia. In the Septuagint, it translates Hebrew בָּבֶל, designating both the city and empire that conquered and exiled the people of Judah/Judea in the 6th century BCE. In New Testament writings, notably Revelation, Βαβυλών takes on a symbolic use, representing an idolatrous, oppressive world power—often interpreted as Rome, due to parallelisms in imagery and context. However, the term authentically denotes the actual city or region unless the context indicates symbolic usage. Modern English translations sometimes render the name as “Babylon,” but the range of meaning in ancient sources includes both historical and metaphorical applications. There is no ethnic or religious designation inherent in the word beyond the city/empire or what is implied by metaphor.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (בָּבֶל); Babylon, the capitol of Chaldæa (literally or figuratively (as a type of tyranny)):-- Babylon.

Root Family

Βαβυλών (Babylōn) — Babylon, Mesopotamian city, center of empire

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G897-01 Βαβυλὼν babulon N NOM F SG Babylon Babylon 6
G897-03 Βαβυλῶνος babulonos N GEN F SG of Babylon of Babylon 5
G897-02 Βαβυλῶνι babuloni N DAT F SG Babylon to Babylon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G897-03 Matthew 1:11 Βαβυλῶνος babulonos N GEN F SG of Babylon of Babylon
G897-03 Matthew 1:12 Βαβυλῶνος babulonos N GEN F SG of Babylon of Babylon
G897-03 Matthew 1:17 Βαβυλῶνος babulonos N GEN F SG of Babylon of Babylon
G897-03 Matthew 1:17 Βαβυλῶνος babulonos-2 N GEN F SG of Babylon of Babylon
G897-03 Acts 7:43 Βαβυλῶνος babulonos N GEN F SG Babylon of Babylon
G897-02 1 Peter 5:13 Βαβυλῶνι babuloni N DAT F SG Babylon to Babylon
G897-01 Revelation 14:8 Βαβυλὼν babulon N NOM F SG Babylon Babylon
G897-01 Revelation 16:19 Βαβυλὼν babulon N NOM F SG Babylon Babylon
G897-01 Revelation 17:5 Βαβυλὼν babulon N NOM F SG Babylon Babylon
G897-01 Revelation 18:2 Βαβυλὼν babulon N NOM F SG Babylon Babylon
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