'Without A Battle'

Two centuries after Isaiah recorded his prophecy, on the night of October 5, 539 B.C.E., the armies of Medo-Persia under the command of Cyrus the Great were encamped near Babylon. But the Babylonians were confident. According to the Greek historian Herodotus (fifth century B.C.E.), they had enough provisions stored up to last for years. They also had the Euphrates river and Babylons might walls to protect them. Nonetheless, on that very night according to the Nabonidus Chronicle, "the army of Cyrus entered Babylon without Battle." How was that possible?

Herodotus explains that inside the city, the people "were dancing and making merry at a festival." Outside, however, Cyrus had diverted the waters of the Euphrates. As the water level sank, his army sloshed along the riverbed, with water to their thighs. They marched past the towering walls and entered through what Herodotus called "the gates that opened on the river.," gates carelessly left open. (Compare Daniel 5:1-4; Jeremiah 50:24; 51:31, 32) Other historians, including Xenophon (c. 431-c. 352 B.C.E.), as well as cuneiform tablets found by archaeologist, confirm the sudden fall of Babylon to Cyrus.

Isaiah's prophecy about Babylon was thus fulfilled. Or was it? is it possible that this was not a prediction but was actually written after the fact? Really, the same could be asked about other Bible prophecies.

Next time: History Masquerading As Prophecy?

A Book For All People, 1997