Daniel 4:30

That I have built. Students of ancient Babylonian history are reminded of these proud words when reading the claims the king makes in his inscriptions, which have been preserved amid the dust and debris of Babylon’s ruins. On one of these inscriptions the proud king proclaims, “Then built I the palace, the seat of my royalty, the bond of the race of men, the dwelling of exultation and rejoicing” (E. Schrader, Keilinschriftliche Bibliothek, vol. 3, part 2, p. 39). In another text he says, “In Babylon, the city which I prefer, which I love, was the palace, the amazement of the people, the bond of the land, the brilliant palace, the abode of majesty on the ground of Babylon” (Ibid., p. 25). That Nebuchadnezzar had valid reasons to be proud of his marvelous creation, the excavations of R. Koldewey have shown, although they have not in every detail corroborated the exaggerated claims of classical writers about the size of ancient Babylon (see Additional Note at the end of this chapter).

Nebuchadnezzar’s claim to have “built” Babylon must not be interpreted as referring to the founding of the city, which actually took place shortly after the Flood (Genesis 11:1–9; cf. chapter 10:10). The reference is to the great work of rebuilding which his father, Nabopolassar, began, and which Nebuchadnezzar completed. Nebuchadnezzar’s building activities were so extensive as to eclipse all previous accomplishments. It has been said that little could be seen that had not been erected in his time. This was true of the palaces, temples, walls, and even of the residential sections. The size of the city had been more than doubled by the addition of new areas to old Babylon, as suburbs on both sides of the river Euphrates.