The Bible has much to say about these ancient people. They trace their bloodlines all the way back to Arphaxad, who was also an ancestor of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). Arphaxad’s descendants settled in the land of Shinar and the city of Babylon. They also settled near the city of Ur, where Abram (Abraham) lived before God called him.

Other Babylonians moved farther north in Mesopotamia, settling near Lake Van. This lake, which lies about halfway between the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas, was home to Haran, an ancestor of Lot (Abram’s nephew). It was here that the descendants of Arphaxad were first called “Babylonians.” But, more often, they were referred to as the people of Van.

After the defeat and fall of Babylon, the Babylonians fled from the Medes and Persians. The Babylonians later fled to the Black Sea, then settled in southeastern Europe. From here they traveled west to the Roman Empire—northern Italy, Gaul (France) and Spain, even northern Africa.

During the era of Greek rule over Babylon, many Babylonians lived in Syria. Later, these exiles were sold as slaves to Latin Romans. These Romans would later free the descendants of Babylonian slaves.

Today, these people still inhabit central and southwestern Europe. Therefore, when Bible prophecy refers to Babylonians, it refers to people in these areas.