Ancient Mesopotamia in the Bible

Ancient Mesopotamia in the Bible — Quick Reference Guide

Sumer & Akkad

• Genesis 11:1–9 — The Tower of Babel
  Takes place in Babylon (Babel) in southern Mesopotamia and explains the spread of languages.
• Genesis 11:31 — Ur of the Chaldeans
  Abraham’s family comes from Ur, a major Sumerian city.

Babylonians

• Book of Daniel (Daniel 1–6)
  Daniel lives in Babylon and serves under Babylonian kings.
• 2 Kings 24–25 — The Babylonian Exile
  Babylon conquers Judah and takes captives to Babylon.

Assyrians

• Book of Jonah
  Jonah is sent to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria.
• 2 Kings 17 — Assyria conquers Israel
  The Assyrian Empire defeats the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Persians

• Book of Esther
  Takes place in the Persian Empire and shows Persian government and culture.
• Book of Ezra (Ezra 1)
  King Cyrus of Persia allows Jewish exiles to return home.