Ishtar Gate of Babylon
Ishtar Gate of Babylon (Interactive 3D Babylonian Gate • Daniel 1 –4 & 2 Kings 25 ): Monumental double gate on the northern wall of inner Babylon constructed by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 575 BC during the era of Daniel and the Judean exile, clad in brilliant cobalt-blue glazed bricks embossed with alternating rows of golden lions, bulls (aurochs), and dragons (mušḫuššu). Within the broader Biblical Knowledge Graph, this connects directly to Babylonian Captivity & Post-Exilic Return—In 586 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and deported Judah , including King Jehoiachin and High Priest Jehozadak ( 1 Chronicles 6:15 ), before the Persian decree of Cyrus enabled Zerubbabel , Joshua , Ezra , and Nehemiah to rebuild the Temple and walls of Jerusalem .
Biblical Geography & Sacred Architecture
Key geographical locations connected to this topic include Babylon (Ancient biblical location referenced in 2 Kgs 17:24 , 2 Kgs 17:30 , 2 Kgs 20:12 , 2 Kgs 20:14 , 2 Kgs 20:17 , 2 Kgs 20:18 (identified with Babel ).) Gate of the Foundation (Ancient biblical location referenced in 2 Chr 23:5 (identified with Jerusalem ).) Potsherd Gate (Ancient biblical location referenced in Jer 19:2 (identified with Jerusalem ).) People's Gate (Ancient biblical location referenced in Jer 17:19 (identified with Jerusalem).) 3D Sanctuary Reconstructions: Ishtar Gate of Babylon — Monumental double gate on the northern wall of inner Babylon constructed by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 575 BC during the era of Daniel and the Judean exile, clad in brilliant cobalt-blue glazed bricks embossed with alternating rows of golden lions, bulls (aurochs), and dragons (mušḫuššu). Ancient Babylon Scale Model (600 BC) — Architectural scale model of Neo-Babylonian Babylon around 600 BC from the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, showing the Euphrates River dividing the walled city, the Processional Way, the Ishtar Gate , Nebuchadnezzar's Southern Palace, and the Etemenanki ziggurat precinct.
Scripture Witness (KJV) & Canonical Context
Primary KJV scripture witnesses include Jeremiah 39:3 : "And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal–sharezer, Samgar–nebo, Sarsechim, Rab–saris, Nergal–sharezer, Rab–mag, with all the resi..."; Daniel 2:49 : "Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon : but Daniel sat in the gate of the king."; 2 Chronicles 36:6 : "Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.". Related canonical books and chapters: 2 Kings 25 ( 2 Kings • Chapter 25 (30 verses)), Jeremiah 39 ( Jeremiah • Chapter 39 (18 verses)), Ezekiel 26 ( Ezekiel • Chapter 26 (21 verses)).