Is there archaeological evidence that proves Nebuchadnezzar existed? And if so, does it match or contradict the depiction of Nebuchadnezzar recorded in the book of Daniel? Dr. Weaver describes (and shows) the remains of the Ishtar Gate from Ancient Babylon. This discovery provides evidence from the field of biblical archaeology that affirms the biblical record.
The Ishtar Gate was originally 45 feet tall. Robert Koldeway, and his team disassembled the Ishtar Gate and portions of the processional way into thousands of pieces, and then transported it all the way back to Berlin, Germany. There they reconstructed it in the Pergamum Museum. The reconstruction was completed in 1930. And, that is where you can view it even to this day! I have been there, and it is breathtaking. A voyage to Berlin, Germany is well worth the trip, just to see this incredible archaeological discovery.
What is even more remarkable is that the reconstructed gate in Berlin is only the outer gate! Originally the Ishtar Gate reconstructed in Babylon would have been a double gate. However, the inner part of the gate, which is larger than the outer part, was too large to fit in the Pergamum museum. The Ishtar Gate, along with seven additional gates, and the processional way, would have been constructed under the building program of Nebuchadnezzar.
You can see the beautiful blue glazed bricks. The gate and processional way had various animals depicted on it including a winged lion. As you might recall, in the prophetic book of Daniel, in chapter 7, the Babylonian Empire was symbolized by a beast. That beast in Daniel 7:4 “was like a lion and had the wings of an Eagle.”
A dedication inscription was also discovered connected with the processional way and the Ishtar gate. It is written in the ancient language of Akkadian. On it, Nebuchadnezzar takes credit for this construction project.
It reads, “Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the faithful prince appointed by the will of Marduk, the highest of princely princes,…I pulled down these gates and laid their foundations…I placed wild bulls and ferocious dragons in the gateways and thus adorned them with luxurious splendor so that people might gaze on them in wonder.”
This inscription illustrates the great arrogance of Nebuchadnezzar in his luxurious buildings, gates, gardens, and more. It is this pride that led to his demise in chapter 4. God takes this “superhuman” and relegates him to behave like a subhuman animal for a period of time – why because he was taking the credit for what God had allowed Nebuchadnezzar to do.
What is extremely interesting and vitally important to notice is the striking similarity of the wording of this inscription by Nebuchadnezzar to the words attributed to Nebuchadnezzar, by the Prophet Daniel, recorded in chapter 4 of the book of Daniel. You might recall that God had warned Nebuchadnezzar of the dire consequence of his arrogance and pride. God warned him of this through a dream he received of a very large tree that would grow to the heavens, but the tree would be struck down. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was interpreted by Daniel. Yet despite the dream, the interpretation of the dream, and the imploring by Daniel for Nebuchadnezzar to change his ways, Nebuchadnezzar remained arrogant and prideful taking all the credit from God, for the construction of the city of Babylon. As I read Daniel 4:29-30, take note of all the first-person pronouns used by Nebuchadnezzar.
We read in Daniel 4:29-30 “[Nebuchadnezzar] was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’”
In summary, what is the significance of these discoveries?
1. First, The Akkadian Inscription associated with the Processional way and Ishtar Gate, identifies Nebuchadnezzar as a real historical figure, who was the king of Babylon, just as the Bible states in the Book of Daniel. and elsewhere.
2. Second, The Akkadian Inscription also identifies Nebuchadnezzar as the builder of many Babylonian structures, just as the Bible states in the book of Daniel.
3. Third, The walls of the processional way include depictions of lions with wings, which also matches the first beast in Daniel chapter four, And this beast in Daniel’s vision which clearly symbolizes the Babylonian Empire.
4. Fourth and finally, The words of Nebuchadnezzar on the Akkadian Inscription closely resemble the words of this same arrogant king in Daniel 4, who takes credit for constructing “Babylon the Great.”
Once again, these discoveries - the Ishtar Gate, the processional way, and the Akkadian Inscription, affirm the historicity of Scripture.
