Chaldea

Chaldea

Chalde'a. More correctly Chaldae'a, the ancient name of a country of Asia bordering on the Persian Gulf. Chaldea proper was the southern part of Babylonia, and is used, in Scripture, to signify that vast alluvial plain which has been formed by the deposits of the Euphrates and the Tigris. This extraordinary flat, unbroken except by the works of man, extends for a distance of 400 miles along the course of the rivers, and is, on an average, about 100 miles in width.

In addition to natural advantages, these plains were nourished by a complicated system of canals, and vegetation flourished bountifully. Chaldea is said to be the only country in the world where wheat grows wild. Herodotus declared, (i. 193), that grain commonly returned two hundred fold to the sower, and occasionally, three hundred fold.

Cities. -- Babylonia has long been celebrated for the number and antiquity of its cities. The most important of those which have been identified are Borsippa (Birs-Nimrun), Sippara or Sepharvaim (Mosaib), Cutha (Ibrahim), Calneh (Niffer), Erech (Warka), Ur (Mugheir), Chilmad (Kalwadha), Larancha (Senkereh), Is (Hit), Durabe (Akkerkuf); but besides these, there were a multitude of others, the sites of which have not been determined.

Present condition. -- This land, once so rich in corn and wine, is to-day, but a mass of mounds, "an arid waste; the dense population of former times is vanished, and no man dwells there." The Hebrew prophets applied the term, "land of the Chaldeans," to all Babylonia and, "Chaldeans," to all the subjects of the Babylonian empire.

Source: Smith’s Bible Dictionary

Chaldea; Chaldeans

kal-dē´a, kal-dē´anz (כּשׂדּים, kasdīm, ארץ כּשׂדּים, 'erec kasdīm; Χαλδαία, Chaldaía, Χαλδαῖοι, Chaldaíoi):

1. Geographical Position

Seats of the Chaldeans

2. Originally Sumero-Akkadian

3. History of the Chaldean Tribes

4. Merodach-Baladan and Sargon of Assyria

5. Suzubu

6. Musezib-Marduk

7. Merodach-Baladan's Son

8. Na'id-Marduk

9. Palia

10. Nabu-Bel-Sumati and Others

His Tragic End

11. The Chaldeans Forge Ahead

12. Nabopolassar's Revolt Against Assyria

13. The Chaldeans as Learned Men

“Kasdīm,” “land of Kasdīm̌” or “the Chaldeans,” is the usual designation, in the Old Testament, for the land and the people (Jer_50:10; Jer_51:24; Jer_24:5; Jer_25:12). The corresponding Greek form with l for s follows the Assyr-Bab Kaldu, mât Kaldi, “Chaldean, land of the Chaldeans.” Kasdim is possibly connected with the name of Kesed (Kesedh), nephew of Abraham (Gen_22:22), and may be derived from the Assyr-Bab root kašādu, “to capture,” suggesting that the Chaldeans were originally tribes of nomadic plunderers (compare Job_1:17).

1. Geographical Position

Seats of the Chaldeans

In its widest acceptation, Chaldea is the name of the whole of Babylonia, owing to the fact that the Chaldeans had given more than one king to the country. In the strict sense, however, their domain was the tract at the Northwest end of the Persian Gulf, which was often called by the Assyro-Babylonians mât Tâmtim, “the Land of the Sea,” a province of unknown extent. When these tribes migrated into Babylonia is uncertain, as is also their original home; but as they are closely related to the Arameans, it is possible that their first settlements lay in the neighborhood of the Aramean states bordering on the Holy Land. Tiglath-pileser IV (742 bc) speaks of the ra'asāni or chiefs of the Kaldu, and the mention of numerous Aramean tribes in Babylonia itself shows that their example of settling there soon found imitators, as did the Anglo-Saxons when they invaded Britain. Among the Chaldean tribes in Babylonia may be mentioned Bît Amukkâni, whose capital was Sapia; Bît Yakîn which furnished the dynasty to which Merodach-baladan II belonged; and probably also Bît Dakkuri, as all three lay near the Persian Gulf. Sargon of Assyria excludes Bît-Amukkani and Bît-Dakkuri, and speaks of “the whole of the land of Chaldea, as much as there is; the land of Bît-Yākîni, on the shore of the Salt River (the Persian Gulf), to the border of Tilmun” (the island of Bahrein and the adjacent mainland) (Pavement Inscr., IV, ll. 82, 83, 85, 86). It was probably the influence of the Babylonians among whom they settled which changed these nomads into city-dwellers. Sennacherib refers to 75 (var. 89) strong cities and fortresses of Chaldea, and 420 (var. 800) smaller towns which were around them; and there were also Chaldeans (and Arameans) in Erech, Nippur (Calneh), Kis, H̬ursag-kalama, Cuthah, and probably Babylon.

2. Originally Sumero-Akkadian

The “land of the sea” (mât Tâmtim) is mentioned in the chronicle of the early Babylonian kings (rev. 14) as being governed by Êa-gamil, contemporary of Samsu-ṭitana (circa 1900 bc), but at that period it was apparently one of the original Sumero-Akkadian states of Babylonia. It is doubtful whether, at that early date, the Chaldeans had entered Babylonia and founded settlements there, though the record mentions Arameans somewhat later on.

3. History of the Chaldean Tribes

One of the earliest references to the Chaldeans is that of Shalmaneser II of Assyria, who, on invading Babylonia in the eponymy of Belbunaya (851 bc), captured the city Baqâni, which belonged to Adini of the Chaldean tribe of Dakuri. After plundering and destroying the place, Shalmaneser attacked Enzudi, the capital, whereupon Adini submitted and paid tribute. On this occasion Yākîni of “the Land of the Sea,” also paid tribute, as did Mušallim-Marduk, son of Amukkāni (the Bît-Amukkāni mentioned above). The next Assyrian ruler to mention the country is Adadnirari III (810 bc), who speaks of all the kings of the Chaldeans, which evidently refers to the various states into which the Chaldean tribes were divided. Later on, Sargon of Assyria, in his 12th year, decided to break the power of Merodach-baladan, who had made himself master of Babylon. To effect this, he first defeated the Gambulians, who were the Chaldean king's supporters, and the Elamites, his allies over the border. The Chaldean, however, did not await the Assyrian king's attack, but escaped to Yatburu in Elam, leaving considerable spoil behind him.

4. Merodach-Baladan and Sargon of Assyria

Though extensive operations were carried out, and much booty taken, the end of the campaign seems only to have come two years later, when Dûr-Yākîn was destroyed by fire and reduced to ruins. In the “Annals of Hall XIV” Sargon claims to have taken Merodach-baladan prisoner, but this seems doubtful. Merodach-baladan fled, but returned and mounted the throne again on Sargon's death in 705 bc. Six months later Sennacherib, in his turn, attacked him, and he again sought safety in flight.

5. Sûzubu

A Chaldean chief named Šûzubu, however, now came forward, and proclaimed himself king of Babylon, but being defeated, he likewise fled. Later on, Sennacherib attacked the Chaldeans at Nagîtu and other settlements in Elamite-territory which Merodach-baladan and his followers had founded.

6. Musezib-Marduk

After the death of Merodach-baladan, yet another Chaldean, whom Sennacherib calls likewise Suzubu, but whose full name was Mušêzib-Marduk, mounted the Babylonian throne. This ruler applied for help against Sennacherib of Assyria to Umman-menanu, the king of Elam, who, taking the bribe which was offered, supported him with an armed force, and a battle was fought at Ḥalulê on the Tigris, in which Sennacherib claims the victory - probably rightly. Mušêzib-Marduk reigned 4 years, and was taken prisoner by his whilom ally, Umman-menanu, who sent him to Assyria.

7. Merodach-Baladan's Son

In the reign of Esarhaddon, Nabû-zēr-napištilîšir, one of the sons of Merodach-baladan, gathered an army at Larsa, but was defeated by the Assyrians, and fled to Elam. The king of that country, however, wishing to be on friendly terms with Esarhaddon, captured him and put him to death.

8. Na'id-Marduk

This prince had a brother named Na'id-Marduk, who, not feeling himself safe in the country which had acted treacherously toward his house, fled, and made submission to Esarhaddon, who received him favorably, and restored to him the dominion of the “Land of the Sea.” This moderation secured the fidelity of the Chaldeans, and when the Elamite Urtaku sent inviting them to revolt against their suzerain, they answered to the effect that Na'id-Marduk was their lord, and they were the servants of the king of Assyria. This took place probably about 650 bc, in the reign of Esarhaddon's son Aššur-banî-âpli (see OSNAPPAR).

9. Palîa

Hostility to Assyria, however, continued to exist in the tribe, Palîa, grandson of Merodach-baladan, being one of the prisoners taken by Aššur-banî-âpli's troops in their operations against the Gambulians (a Babylonian, and perhaps a Chaldean tribe) later on. It was only during the struggle of Šamaš-šumukîn (Saosduchimos), king of Babylon, Aššur-banî-âpli's brother, however, that they took sides against Assyria as a nationality. This change was due to the invitation of the Babylonian king - who may have been regarded, rather than Aššur-banî-âpli, as their overlord.

10. Nabû-bêl-šumāti

The chief of the Chaldeans was at that time another grandson of Merodach-baladan, Nabû-bêl-šumāti, who seized the Assyrians in his domain, and placed them in bonds. The Chaldeans suffered, with the rest, in the great defeat of the Babylonian and allied forces, when Babylon and the chief cities of the land fell. Mannu-kî-Babîli of the Dakkurians, Êa-šum-ikîša of Bît-Amukkāni, with other Chaldean states, were punished for their complicity in Šamaš-šum-ukîn's revolt, while Nabû-bêl-šumāti fled and found refuge at the court of Indabigas, king of Elam. Assur-bani-apli at once demanded his surrender, but civil war in Elam broke out, in which Indabigas was slain, and Ummanaldas mounted the throne.

His Tragic End

This demand was now renewed, and Nabû-bêl-šumāti, fearing that he would be surrendered, decided to end his life. He therefore directed his armor-bearer to dispatch him, and each ran the other through with his sword. The prince's corpse, with the head of his armor-bearer, were then sent, with some of the Chaldean fugitives, to Assyria, and presented to the king. Thus ended, for a time, Chaldean ambition in Babylonia and in the domain of eastern politics.

11. The Chaldeans Forge Ahead

With the death of Aššur-banî-âpli, which took place about 626 bc, the power of Assyria fell, his successors being probably far less capable men than he. This gave occasion for many plots against the Assyrian empire, and the Chaldeans probably took part in the general movement. In the time of Saracus (Sin-šarra-iškun of Assyria, circa 620 bc) Busalossor would seem to have been appointed general of the forces in Babylonia in consequence of an apprehended invasion of barbarians from the sea (the Persian Gulf) (Eusebius, Chronicon, book i).

12. Nabopolassar's Revolt Against Assyria

The new general, however, revolted against the Assyrians, and made himself master of Babylonia. As, in other cases, the Assyrians seem to have been exceedingly faithful to their king, it has been thought possible that this general, who was none other than Nabopolassar, the father of Nebuchadpolassar's rezzar, was not really an Assyrian, but a Babylonian, and probably a Chaldean. This theory; if correct, would explain how Babylonia, in its fullest sense, obtained the name of Chaldea, and was no longer known as the land of Shinar (Gen_10:10). The reputation of Merodach-baladan, the contemporary of Hezekiah, may have been partly responsible for the change of name.

13. The Chaldeans as Learned Men

It was not in the restricted sense, but as a synonym of Babylonian, that the name Chaldean obtained the signification of “wise man.” That the Chaldeans in the restricted and correct sense were more learned than, or even as learned as, the Babylonians in general, is unlikely. Moreover, the native inscriptions give no indication that this was the case. The Babylonians in general, on the other _ hand, were enThusiastic students from very early times. From their inscriptions, it is certain that among their centers of learning may be classed Sippar and Larsa, the chief seats of sun-worship; Nippur, identified with the Calneh of Gen_10:10; Babylon, the capital; Borsippa in the neighborhood of Babylon; Ur of the Chaldees; and Erech. There is, also, every probability that this list could be extended, and will be extended, when we know more; for wherever an important temple existed, there was to be found also a priestly school. “The learning of the Chaldeans” (Dan_1:4; Dan_2:2; Dan_4:7; Dan_5:7, Dan_5:11) comprised the old languages of Babylonia (the two dialects of Sumerian, with a certain knowledge of Kassite, which seems to have been allied to the Hittite; and other languages of the immediate neighborhood); some knowledge of astronomy and astrology; mathematics, which their sexagesimal system of numeration seems to have facilitated; and a certain amount of natural history. To this must be added a store of mythological learning, including legends of the Creation, the Flood (closely resembling in all its main points the account in the Bible), and apparently also the Temptation and the Fall. They had likewise a good knowledge of agriculture, and were no mean architects, as the many celebrated buildings of Babylonia show - compare not only the descriptions of the Temple of Belus (see BABEL, TOWER OF) and the Hanging Gardens, but also the remains of Gudea's great palace at Lagas (Tel-loh), where that ruler, who lived about 2500 bc, is twice represented as an architect, with plan and with rule and measure. (These statues are now in the Louvre.) That their architecture never attained the elegance which characterized that of the West, is probably due to the absence of stone, necessitating the employment of brick as a substitute (Gen_11:3). See BABYLONIA; SHINAR.

Source: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Chaldea

The southern portion of Babylonia, Lower Mesopotamia, lying chiefly on the right bank of the Euphrates, but commonly used of the whole of the Mesopotamian plain. The Hebrew name is Kasdim, which is usually rendered “Chaldeans” (Jer_50:10; Jer_51:24, Jer_51:35). The country so named is a vast plain formed by the deposits of the Euphrates and the Tigris, extending to about 400 miles along the course of these rivers, and about 100 miles in average breadth. “In former days the vast plains of Babylon were nourished by a complicated system of canals and water-courses, which spread over the surface of the country like a network. The wants of a teeming population were supplied by a rich soil, not less bountiful than that on the banks of the Egyptian Nile. Like islands rising from a golden sea of waving corn stood frequent groves of palmtrees and pleasant gardens, affording to the idler or traveller their grateful and highly-valued shade. Crowds of passengers hurried along the dusty roads to and from the busy city. The land was rich in corn and wine.”

Recent discoveries, more especially in Babylonia, have thrown much light on the history of the Hebrew patriarchs, and have illustrated or confirmed the Biblical narrative in many points. The ancestor of the Hebrew people, Abram, was, we are told, born at “Ur of the Chaldees.” “Chaldees” is a mistranslation of the Hebrew Kasdim, Kasdim being the Old Testament name of the Babylonians, while the Chaldees were a tribe who lived on the shores of the Persian Gulf, and did not become a part of the Babylonian population till the time of Hezekiah. Ur was one of the oldest and most famous of the Babylonian cities. Its site is now called Mugheir, or Mugayyar, on the western bank of the Euphrates, in Southern Babylonia. About a century before the birth of Abram it was ruled by a powerful dynasty of kings. Their conquests extended to Elam on the one side, and to the Lebanon on the other. They were followed by a dynasty of princes whose capital was Babylon, and who seem to have been of South Arabian origin. The founder of the dynasty was Sumu-abi (“Shem is my father”). But soon afterwards Babylonia fell under Elamite dominion. The kings of Babylon were compelled to acknowledge the supremacy of Elam, and a rival kingdom to that of Babylon, and governed by Elamites, sprang up at Larsa, not far from Ur, but on the opposite bank of the river. In the time of Abram the king of Larsa was Eri-Aku, the son of an Elamite prince, and Eri-Aku, as has long been recognized, is the Biblical “Arioch king of Ellasar” (Gen_14:1). The contemporaneous king of Babylon in the north, in the country termed Shinar in Scripture, was Khammu-rabi. (See BABYLON; ABRAHAM; AMRAPHEL.)

Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary