Chapter 1

1

IN the twelfth year of the reign of Nevukadne'tstsar, who reigned in Niyneveh, the great city; in the days of Arpakshad, which reigned over the Madai in Ecbatane,

2

And built in Ecbatane walls round about of stones hewn three cubits broad and six cubits long, and made the height of the wall seventy cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits:

3

And set the towers thereof upon the gates of it a hundred cubits high, and the breadth thereof in the foundation threescore cubits:

4

And he made the gates thereof, even gates that were raised to the height of seventy cubits, and the breadth of them was forty cubits, for the going forth of his mighty armies, and for the setting in array of his footmen:

5

Even in those days King Nevukadne'tstsar made war with King Arpakshad in the great plain, which is the plain in the borders of Re'u.

6

And there came unto him all they that dwelt in the hill country, and all that dwelt by Perath, and Chiddeqel and Hydaspes, and the plain of Aryok the king of the Elymeans, and very many nations of the sons of Chelod, assembled themselves to the battle.

7

Then Nevukadne'tstsar king of Ashshur sent unto all that dwelt in Persia, and to all that dwelt westward, and to those that dwelt in Cilicia, and Damascus, and Lebanon, and Antilibanus, and to all that dwelt upon the sea coast,

8

And to those among the nations that were of Karmel, and Gil'ad, and the higher Galiyl, and the great plain of Yizre'el,

9

And to all that were in Shomeron and the cities thereof, and beyond the Yardan unto Yerushalayim, and Betane, and Keluc, and Qadesh, and the river of Mitsrayim, and Tachpeneyc, and Ra`amcec, and all the land of Goshen,

10

Until ye come beyond Tanis and Memphis, and to all the inhabitants of Mitsrayim, until ye come to the borders of Kush.

11

But all the inhabitants of the land made light of the commandment of Nevukadne'tstsar king of Ashshur, neither went they with him to the battle; for they were not afraid of him: yea, he was before them as one man, and they sent away his ambassadors from them without effect, and with disgrace.

12

Therefore Nevukadne'tstsar was very angry with all this country, and swore by his throne and kingdom, that he would surely be avenged upon all those coasts of Cilicia, and Damascus, and Aram, and that he would slay with the sword all the inhabitants of the land of Mo'av, and the children of Ammon, and all Yahud, and all that were in Mitsrayim, till ye come to the borders of the two seas.

13

Then he marched in battle array with his power against King Arpakshad in the seventeenth year, and he prevailed in his battle: for he overthrew all the power of Arpakshad, and all his horsemen, and all his chariots,

14

And became adoniy of his cities, and came unto Ecbatane, and took the towers, and spoiled the streets thereof, and turned the beauty thereof into shame.

15

He took also Arpakshad in the mountains of Re'u, and smote him through with his spears, and destroyed him utterly that day.

16

So he returned afterward to Niyneveh, both he and all his company of sundry nations being a very great multitude of men of war, and there he took his ease, and banqueted, both he and his army, a hundred and twenty days.



Back to top