Sheshach
LocationsGeographical Setting
Sheshach is a cryptic biblical designation for Babylon, likely derived from a gematria system where the Hebrew letters correspond to the numerical value of the city's name.
What is the meaning of Sheshach in the Bible?
Sheshach is a cryptic cipher for Babylon found in the Book of Jeremiah, constructed through Hebrew gematria where the letters Shin, Shin, Cheth, and Cheth sum to 666, matching the numerical value of the Hebrew word for Babylon.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Sheshach as a coded reference to Babylon clarifies the specific geopolitical target of Jeremiah's prophecies, revealing how biblical authors used numerical wordplay to critique foreign empires while maintaining a layer of rhetorical distance.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Sheshach in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sheshach clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.