Babylon had existed for centuries, but only under King Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC) did she reach her height. In a rapid surge of conquest, he expanded his dominion from Persia to Egypt, seizing power as Assyria declined. During his reign, he conquered Judah, taking its citizens into captivity in Babylon. Rising swiftly to world supremacy, he also dedicated himself to beautifying and fortifying the city of Babylon, transforming it into the largest and most magnificent city of the ancient world. Early in his reign, his rule was marked by war, captivity of defeated nations, and destruction, symbolized by the lion with wings in Daniel 7, reflecting his swift and formidable power. Later, with his enemies subdued, his aggression waned, and he focused on cultural and building pursuits. During this period, he was humbled and acknowledged God's sovereignty.

Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon and God's servant. God chose him to serve as His executioner by bringing destruction upon Judah and other nations. God explicitly referred to him as His servant in three instances. In the first instance God declared that He would send Nebuchadnezzar against the land of Judah to devote it to destruction. In the second instance God stated that He had given all lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar His servant along with authority over beasts and that nations must serve him until the time of his own land arrived. In the third instance God announced that He would send Nebuchadnezzar His servant to set his throne over hidden stones in Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar commanded that Jeremiah be treated well and protected from harm. In the book of Daniel Nebuchadnezzar received dreams from God and acknowledged that the God of heaven had given him kingdom power might and glory. He also declared that the God of Daniel was the God of gods and Lord of kings. Later Nebuchadnezzar displayed pride by claiming that he had built Babylon by his own mighty power. God then humbled him by removing his kingdom and causing him to dwell with beasts until he recognized that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind. Upon the return of his reason Nebuchadnezzar praised and honored the Most High whose dominion is everlasting. God gave Nebuchadnezzar kingship greatness glory and majesty so that all peoples trembled before him.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon brought his armies against Tyre. He destroyed the mainland city and besieged the island for five years until Tyre agreed to pay tribute. The prophecy declares that the Lord God would bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses, with chariots, and with horsemen, and an army with many people. He would slay with the sword the daughter villages in the fields. He would heap up a siege mound against Tyre, build a wall against it, and raise a defense against it. He would direct his battering rams against the walls, and with his axes he would break down the towers. Because of the abundance of his horses, their dust would cover Tyre. The walls would shake at the noise of the horsemen, the wagons, and the chariots, when he enters the gates, as men enter a city that has been breached. With the hooves of his horses he would trample all the streets. He would slay the people by the sword, and the strong pillars would fall to the ground. They would plunder the riches and pillage the merchandise. They would break down the walls and destroy the pleasant houses. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the mainland city, leaving it in heaps of rubble.