| The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002. |
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| Babylon |
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| (BAB-uh-luhn, BAB-uh-lon) The capital of the ancient empire of Babylonia, which conquered Israel in the sixth century B.C. The Jews were exiled to Babylon, which they found luxurious and corrupt. The prophet Daniel became a counselor to the king of Babylon (see the handwriting on the wall), and eventually the Israelites were allowed to return to their homeland. (See also Daniel in the lions’ den.) | 1 |
| ‡ A “Babylon” is any place of sin and corruption. | 2 |
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| | | The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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