Changes

'''Nebuchadnezzar II''', also called '''King Nebuchadnezzar the Second''' (635 BC-vr. 607 BC-r. 605 BC-562 BC) (''Nabu-Kudduri-Usur'' Nebo, Protect My Eldest Son or Nebo, Protect the Border),<ref name=Nisbett>Nisbett, Michael John. "[http://www.nisbett.com/people/bp-nebuchadnezzar.htm Entry for Nebuchadnezzar]." ''[http://www.nisbett.com/ The Christian Resource Centre]'' (Bermuda). Retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref><ref name=WebBible>Authors unknown. "[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/nebuchadnezzar.html Entry for Nebuchadnezzar]." WebBible Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref> or "Nebuchadrezzar" as the Prophet [[Jeremiah (Prophet)|Jeremiah]] spelled his name, was King of the Chaldeans and final conqueror of the [[Southern Kingdom]] of [[Israel]], called "Judah."<ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. 740, 755, 770, 775, 782, 787, 832, 881-2, 886, 890-1.</ref><ref name=keyway>[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/roadsign.htm Wayne Blank], "[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/nebuch.htm Entry for King Nebuchadnezzar]," ''Church of God Daily Bible Study'', retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref><ref name=ColumbiaH>Author unknown. "[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Nebuchad.html Entry for Nebuchadnezzar]." ''The Columbia Encyclopedia'', 6th ed., 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2007, from the [http://www.encyclopedia.com/ Highbeam Encyclopedia].</ref><ref name=Gill>Gill, N. S. "[http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/people/g/nebuchadnezzar.htm Entry for Nebuchadnezzar]." ''About.com''. Retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref><ref name=Lexicorient>[http://lexicorient.com/tore-eo.htm Kjeilen, Tore]. "[http://lexicorient.com/e.o/nebuchadnezzar_2.htm Entry for 'Nebuchadnezzar 2']." ''[http://lexicorient.com/e.o/index.htm Encyclopedia of the Orient],'' 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref> He was the first of many heads-of-state of foreign superpowers to come to a possibly salvific knowledge of [[God]]. Ancient and modern historians have traditionally nicknamed him "The Great." The [[Septuagint]] spells his name as Ναβουχοδονοσορ (Nabouchodonosor).

'''Nebuchadnezzar II''', also called '''King Nebuchadnezzar the Second''' (635 BC-vr. 607 BC-r. 605 BC-562 BC) (''Nabu-Kudduri-Usur'' Nebo, Protect My Eldest Son or Nebo, Protect the Border),<ref name=Nisbett>Nisbett, Michael John. "[http://www.nisbett.com/people/bp-nebuchadnezzar.htm Entry for Nebuchadnezzar]." ''[http://www.nisbett.com/ The Christian Resource Centre]'' (Bermuda). Retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref><ref name=WebBible>Authors unknown. "[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/nebuchadnezzar.html Entry for Nebuchadnezzar]." WebBible Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref> or "Nebuchadrezzar" as the Prophet [[Jeremiah (Prophet)|Jeremiah]] spelled his name, was King of the Chaldeans and final conqueror of the [[Southern Kingdom]] of [[Israel]], called "Judah."<ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. 740, 755, 770, 775, 782, 787, 832, 881-2, 886, 890-1.</ref><ref name=keyway>[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/roadsign.htm Wayne Blank], "[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/nebuch.htm Entry for King Nebuchadnezzar]," ''Church of God Daily Bible Study'', retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref><ref name=ColumbiaH>Author unknown. "[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Nebuchad.html Entry for Nebuchadnezzar]." ''The Columbia Encyclopedia'', 6th ed., 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2007, from the [http://www.encyclopedia.com/ Highbeam Encyclopedia].</ref><ref name=Gill>Gill, N. S. "[http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/people/g/nebuchadnezzar.htm Entry for Nebuchadnezzar]." ''About.com''. Retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref><ref name=Lexicorient>[http://lexicorient.com/tore-eo.htm Kjeilen, Tore]. "[http://lexicorient.com/e.o/nebuchadnezzar_2.htm Entry for 'Nebuchadnezzar 2']." ''[http://lexicorient.com/e.o/index.htm Encyclopedia of the Orient],'' 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2007.</ref> He was the first of many heads-of-state of foreign superpowers to come to a possibly salvific knowledge of [[God]]. Ancient and modern historians have traditionally nicknamed him "The Great." The [[Septuagint]] spells his name as Ναβουχοδονοσορ (Nabouchodonosor).

== Early Life ==

== Early life ==

: ''Note: The chronology of [[James Ussher]] is assumed here. For details on how the alternative chronology of [[Edwin R. Thiele]] might affect the next series of dates, see the "Disputed chronology" section below.''

: ''Note: The chronology of [[James Ussher]] is assumed here. For details on how the alternative chronology of [[Edwin R. Thiele]] might affect the next series of dates, see the "Disputed chronology" section below.''

Different sources variously report the year of Nebuchadnezzar's birth as 630 BC<ref name=keyway/> or 635 BC.<ref name=Lexicorient/> He was married, or at least betrothed, in 626 BC, to [[Amyitis]], daughter of [[Astyages]], who was the son of [[Cyaxeres I]], King of the [[Media|Medes]].<ref name=WebBible/><ref name=keyway/> This was part of a military treaty that his father [[Nabopolassar]] made with Astyages. This union produced at least one son, named Amal-Marduk or [[Evil-Merodach]], and a [[Daughter of Nebuchadnezzar|daughter]], whose name is unrecorded.

Different sources variously report the year of Nebuchadnezzar's birth as 630 BC<ref name=keyway/> or 635 BC.<ref name=Lexicorient/> He was married, or at least betrothed, in 626 BC, to [[Amyitis]], daughter of [[Astyages]], who was the son of [[Cyaxeres I]], King of the [[Media|Medes]].<ref name=WebBible/><ref name=keyway/> This was part of a military treaty that his father [[Nabopolassar]] made with Astyages. This union produced at least one son, named Amal-Marduk or [[Evil-Merodach]], and a [[Daughter of Nebuchadnezzar|daughter]], whose name is unrecorded.

In that year, the two allies attacked the [[Assyria|Assyrian]] capital of [[Nineveh]] and reduced it to a ruin, as the [[prophet|prophets]] [[Isaiah (Prophet)|Isaiah]] and [[Nahum]] had predicted. Afterward, [[Nabopolassar]] reigned in newly-independent [[Babylon]] for twenty-one years.

In that year, the two allies attacked the [[Assyria]]n capital of [[Nineveh]] and reduced it to a ruin, as the [[prophet]]s [[Isaiah (Prophet)|Isaiah]] and [[Nahum]] had predicted. Afterward, [[Nabopolassar]] reigned in newly-independent [[Babylon]] for twenty-one years.

== The Military Leader ==

== The Military Leader ==

In 607 BC, Nebuchadnezzar became viceroy of Babylonia. With that office came a major theater command.<ref name=Lexicorient/> The [[Babylonian Chronicle]] clearly states that this occurred in the nineteenth year of the reign of Nabopolassar, and backs this with an [[astronomical dating|astronomical reference]].<ref name=Nisbett/>

In 607 BC, Nebuchadnezzar became viceroy of Babylonia. With that office came a major theater command.<ref name=Lexicorient/> The [[Babylonian Chronicle]] clearly states that this occurred in the nineteenth year of the reign of Nabopolassar, and backs this with an [[astronomical dating|astronomical reference]].<ref name=Nisbett/>

Nabopolassar's first orders to his son was to head westward and recapture certain lands near [[Lebanon]], including the western provinces of [[Syria]], from the [[Egypt|Egyptians]]. This occurred after [[Pharaoh]] [[Necho II]] had met and vanquished an Assyrian army at [[Carchemish]] three years earlier, thus establishing Egyptian hegemony in the region.<ref name=WebBible/><ref name=ColumbiaH/><ref name=Gill/> (This was the campaign in which King [[Josiah]] of Judah unwisely tried to thwart Necho and was killed in action.)

Nabopolassar's first orders to his son was to head westward and recapture certain lands near [[Lebanon]], including the western provinces of [[Syria]], from the [[Egypt]]ians. This occurred after [[Pharaoh]] [[Necho II]] had met and vanquished an Assyrian army at [[Carchemish]] three years earlier, thus establishing Egyptian hegemony in the region.<ref name=WebBible/><ref name=ColumbiaH/><ref name=Gill/> (This was the campaign in which King [[Josiah]] of Judah unwisely tried to thwart Necho and was killed in action.)

Nebuchadnezzar moved swiftly, met Necho and his forces at Carchemish, and routed them.<ref name=Nisbett><ref name=WebBible/><ref name=ColumbiaH/><ref name=Lexicorient/> Nebuchadnezzar marched on into Judea, and accepted the surrender of [[Jerusalem]] and the pledge of vassalage of [[Jehoiakim]].<ref name=Lexicorient/> This happened in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Daniel|chap=1|verses=1-2}}, {{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=36|verses=6}}</ref> The prophet [[Daniel]] and three of his friends ([[Shadrach]], [[Meschach]], and [[Abednego]]) were taken hostage and sent back to [[Babylon]] at this time.<ref name=Nisbett/><ref name=keyway/> This is the beginning of the seventy-year exile, or "captivity," of Israel, also called the "desolation."

Nebuchadnezzar moved swiftly, met Necho and his forces at Carchemish, and routed them.<ref name=Nisbett><ref name=WebBible/><ref name=ColumbiaH/><ref name=Lexicorient/> Nebuchadnezzar marched on into Judea, and accepted the surrender of [[Jerusalem]] and the pledge of vassalage of [[Jehoiakim]].<ref name=Lexicorient/> This happened in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Daniel|chap=1|verses=1-2}}, {{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=36|verses=6}}</ref> The prophet [[Daniel]] and three of his friends ([[Shadrach]], [[Meschach]], and [[Abednego]]) were taken hostage and sent back to [[Babylon]] at this time.<ref name=Nisbett/><ref name=keyway/> This is the beginning of the seventy-year exile, or "captivity," of Israel, also called the "desolation."

=== Lone Reign ===

=== Lone Reign ===

Nebuchadnezzar moved on and solidified his hold over the eastern Mediterranean lands, so that never again would Pharaoh Necho venture out of Egypt.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=7}}</ref><ref name=WebBible/> In this year, on 8 Av ([[August 15]], 605 BC by the [[Julian calendar]]<ref name=Nisbett/>), Nabopolassar died.<ref name=keyway/><ref name=ColumbiaH/> Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon as swiftly as he could, to solidify his rule. With him he brought back a great many captives from Judah, Syria, Lebanon ([[Phoenicia]]), and Egypt. He left behind a token garrison in the region.<ref name=Nisbett/>

Nebuchadnezzar moved on and solidified his hold over the eastern Mediterranean lands, so that never again would Pharaoh Necho venture out of Egypt.<ref name=WebBible/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=7}}</ref> In this year, on 8 Av ([[August 15]], 605 BC by the [[Julian calendar]]<ref name=Nisbett/>), Nabopolassar died.<ref name=keyway/><ref name=ColumbiaH/> Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon as swiftly as he could, to solidify his rule. With him he brought back a great many captives from Judah, Syria, Lebanon ([[Phoenicia]]), and Egypt. He left behind a token garrison in the region.<ref name=Nisbett/>

On 1 Elul ([[September 7]], [[605 BC]]) he laid undisputed claim to his throne.<ref name=Nisbett/><ref name=Lexicorient/> He was anywhere from twenty-five to thirty years old at this time, and he might at this time have ceremonially consummated his marriage to Amyitis, who now would carry the title of "queen." Persistent legend credits him with building a magnificent garden, called the [[Hanging Gardens of Babylon]] to this day,<ref name=ColumbiaH/><ref name=Gill/><ref name=Lexicorient/><ref name=Nystrom/> but this legend has no archaeological warrant nor even any contemporary record.<ref name=Lexicorient/> The Hanging Gardens were supposed to be a present to Amyitis, who would at least have something to remind her of her girlhood in the hill country of the Medes.

On 1 Elul ([[September 7]], [[605 BC]]) he laid undisputed claim to his throne.<ref name=Nisbett/><ref name=Lexicorient/> He was anywhere from twenty-five to thirty years old at this time, and he might at this time have ceremonially consummated his marriage to Amyitis, who now would carry the title of "queen." Persistent legend credits him with building a magnificent garden, called the [[Hanging Gardens of Babylon]] to this day,<ref name=ColumbiaH/><ref name=Gill/><ref name=Lexicorient/><ref name=Nystrom/> but this legend has no archaeological warrant nor even any contemporary record.<ref name=Lexicorient/> The Hanging Gardens were supposed to be a present to Amyitis, who would at least have something to remind her of her girlhood in the hill country of the Medes.

In any event, Nebuchadnezzar could confidently ignore his northern frontier, because Amyitis' grandfather [[Cyaxeres I]] would prove not only a faithful ally but also a powerful one. Ussher says that Cyaxeres had hundreds of Scythians slaughtered at a banquet, an act that sent the rest of them fleeing northward and, apparently, not attempting another invasion of the Middle East. Centuries would pass before their apparent descendants the [[Russia|Russians]] would attempt to hold any sway at all in the region.

In any event, Nebuchadnezzar could confidently ignore his northern frontier, because Amyitis' grandfather [[Cyaxeres I]] would prove not only a faithful ally but also a powerful one. Ussher says that Cyaxeres had hundreds of Scythians slaughtered at a banquet, an act that sent the rest of them fleeing northward and, apparently, not attempting another invasion of the Middle East. Centuries would pass before their apparent descendants the [[Russia]]ns would attempt to hold any sway at all in the region.

=== Rebellion in Judea ===

=== Rebellion in Judea ===

Nebuchadnezzar is highly regarded both in the Bible and by secular historians who "rate" the ancient superpower emperors.  By all accounts he carved out and built up one of the largest, happiest, wealthiest, most advanced, and most powerful civilizations of his day.  But the most remarkable thing about him is that he actually came to profess a belief in God.

Nebuchadnezzar is highly regarded both in the Bible and by secular historians who "rate" the ancient superpower emperors.  By all accounts he carved out and built up one of the largest, happiest, wealthiest, most advanced, and most powerful civilizations of his day.  But the most remarkable thing about him is that he actually came to profess a belief in God.

Prior to Nebuchadnezzar, God had never seen fit to remove the [[King David|Davidic]] dynasty completely from the throne of Judah--though the [[Northern Kingdom]] of "Israel" had gone through several different dynasties before [[Shalmaneser V]] of [[Assyria]] finally conquered [[Samaria]] and essentially replaced its population. But Nebuchadnezzar was the first king essentially to replace a Judaean dynasty as its governors--and ironically, Gentile though he was, was the first among them to "measure up" to God's desires.

Prior to Nebuchadnezzar, God had never seen fit to remove the [[King David|Davidic]] dynasty completely from the throne of Judah—though the [[Northern Kingdom]] of "Israel" had gone through several different dynasties before [[Shalmaneser V]] of [[Assyria]] finally conquered [[Samaria]] and essentially replaced its population. But Nebuchadnezzar was the first king essentially to replace a Judaean dynasty as its governors—and ironically, Gentile though he was, was the first among them to "measure up" to God's desires.

=== The Dietary Incident ===

=== The Dietary Incident ===

In this dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw a great statue that had a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, loins and thighs of bronze, lower legs of iron, and feet of iron mixed with clay. As he was watching this, a great rock struck the statue, ground it into dust, and remained as a tall mountain.

In this dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw a great statue that had a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, loins and thighs of bronze, lower legs of iron, and feet of iron mixed with clay. As he was watching this, a great rock struck the statue, ground it into dust, and remained as a tall mountain.

He then summoned his wise men--and at this point, some troublemakers in his administration suggested that he should execute any who presumed to interpret his dream, unless that person could repeat the dream back to the king without his telling him, and ''then'' interpret it!  Daniel was up to the challenge. Daniel tells his side of the story, and Nebuchadnezzar himself backs the story up.  The Second Chapter of Daniel tells the details of the statue with the head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belt and thighs of bronze, shins of iron, and feet of iron-mixed-with-clay--these are the original "feet of clay" that remain today a metaphor for a fatal failing in an ostensibly great hero or leader.  Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar with conviction that he was the antitype for the head of gold, and proceeded to give Nebuchadnezzar a summary of the future history of the world until what most evangelicals would describe as the Second Coming of Christ. <ref>{{Bible ref|book=Daniel|chap=2}}</ref>

He then summoned his wise men—and at this point, some troublemakers in his administration suggested that he should execute any who presumed to interpret his dream, unless that person could repeat the dream back to the king without his telling him, and ''then'' interpret it!  Daniel was up to the challenge. Daniel tells his side of the story, and Nebuchadnezzar himself backs the story up.  The Second Chapter of Daniel tells the details of the statue with the head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belt and thighs of bronze, shins of iron, and feet of iron-mixed-with-clay—these are the original "feet of clay" that remain today a metaphor for a fatal failing in an ostensibly great hero or leader.  Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar with conviction that he was the antitype for the head of gold, and proceeded to give Nebuchadnezzar a summary of the future history of the world until what most evangelicals would describe as the Second Coming of Christ.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Daniel|chap=2}}</ref>

Nebuchadnezzar rewarded Daniel with a high council seat, and with similar high office for Daniel's three friends.

Nebuchadnezzar rewarded Daniel with a high council seat, and with similar high office for Daniel's three friends.

: ''Main Article: [[The Burning Fiery Furnace]]''

: ''Main Article: [[The Burning Fiery Furnace]]''

Nebuchadnezzar was not convinced so easily. A number of years later (Ussher gives no firm date for this) he set up a golden statue. This was either of the god [[Marduk]] (which we may infer from his earlier activity in rebuilding Marduk's temple), or it was an all-gold replica of the statue he had seen in his earlier dream. He then commanded that whosoever would not worship that image would be thrown into a brick kiln--literally, "burning fiery furnace."  Daniel was away from the city at the time, but [[Shadrach]], [[Meschach]], and [[Abednego]] fell neatly into the trap.  Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown in--and they walked out alive.  Witnesses, furthermore, described a fourth man in the furnace with him--probably the [[Angel of the Lord]] Himself.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Daniel|chap=3}}</ref><ref name=WebBible/>

Nebuchadnezzar was not convinced so easily. A number of years later (Ussher gives no firm date for this) he set up a golden statue. This was either of the god [[Marduk]] (which we may infer from his earlier activity in rebuilding Marduk's temple), or it was an all-gold replica of the statue he had seen in his earlier dream. He then commanded that whosoever would not worship that image would be thrown into a brick kiln—literally, "burning fiery furnace."  Daniel was away from the city at the time, but [[Shadrach]], [[Meschach]], and [[Abednego]] fell neatly into the trap.  Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown in—and they walked out alive.  Witnesses, furthermore, described a fourth man in the furnace with him—probably the [[Angel of the Lord]] Himself.<ref name=WebBible/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Daniel|chap=3}}</ref>

=== The Lycanthrope ===

=== The Lycanthrope ===

In 570 BC, Nebuchadnezzar, having completed his wars of conquest, returned to Babylon to concentrate on making it his showcase. At this time he dreamed of a tree destined to be cut down. Daniel tried to tell him that Nebuchadnezzar himself was that tree, but the king did not listen. Very soon thereafter, Nebuchadnezzar came to suffer the delusion that he was an animal, and to eat grass.<ref name=ColumbiaH/> (Some secular sources claim that this actually happened to [[Nabonidus]], his second son-in-law.)  This extreme humbling was the final lesson Nebuchadnezzar needed to convince him of the LORD's Truth. He held Daniel in the highest esteem until the day of his death, and trusted him implicitly. Daniel includes, as the fourth chapter of his work, Nebuchadnezzar's testimony to his people about his experiences as a lycanthrope.<ref name=NebProclaim/><ref name=WebBible/>

In 570 BC, Nebuchadnezzar, having completed his wars of conquest, returned to Babylon to concentrate on making it his showcase. At this time he dreamed of a tree destined to be cut down. Daniel tried to tell him that Nebuchadnezzar himself was that tree, but the king did not listen. Very soon thereafter, Nebuchadnezzar came to suffer the delusion that he was an animal, and to eat grass.<ref name=ColumbiaH/> (Some secular sources claim that this actually happened to [[Nabonidus]], his second son-in-law.)  This extreme humbling was the final lesson Nebuchadnezzar needed to convince him of the LORD's Truth. He held Daniel in the highest esteem until the day of his death, and trusted him implicitly. Daniel includes, as the fourth chapter of his work, Nebuchadnezzar's testimony to his people about his experiences as a lycanthrope.<ref name=WebBible/><ref name=NebProclaim/>

This incident has very little extra-Biblical corroboration, unless one can cite a fragmentary [[cuneiform]] inscription in which an anonymous court official, possibly the king's own [[physician]], testifies to symptoms in Nebuchadnezzar that seem remarkably like those of major depressive disorder.<ref name=Nisbett/>

This incident has very little extra-Biblical corroboration, unless one can cite a fragmentary [[cuneiform]] inscription in which an anonymous court official, possibly the king's own [[physician]], testifies to symptoms in Nebuchadnezzar that seem remarkably like those of major depressive disorder.<ref name=Nisbett/>

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}

== See Also ==

== See also ==

[[Category:Biblical Persons]]

[[Category:Biblical Persons]]

[[Category:Babylon]]

[[Category:Babylon]]