Bible Dictionary
Shinar, The Land of
The land of Shinar was the broad plain of Babylonia, extending toward the Persian Gulf. It was the setting of Babel and later appeared in prophetic references.
Definition
The land of Shinar was the broad plain of Babylonia or southern Mesopotamia, extending nearly to the Persian Gulf. It was the region associated with Babel and Babylon and with the early cities of the alluvial country.
Biblical Usage
The tower of Babel was built in Shinar. The name occurs again in prophetic references concerning the dispersion and restoration of Israel.
Historical Background
The land was first associated with Turanian tribes who cultivated it, built cities, and made bricks. Semitic tribes later invaded and ruled it, followed by an Elamite invasion and the rise of a new Chaldean empire under Khammurabi.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
LXX. and Vulgate “Senaar;” in the inscriptions, “Shumir;” probably identical with Babylonia or Southern Mesopotamia, extending almost to the Persian Gulf. Here the tower of Babel was built (Gen. 11:1-6), and the city of Babylon. The name occurs later in Jewish history (Isa. 11:11; Zech. 5:11). Shinar was apparently first peopled by Turanian tribes, who tilled the land and made bricks and built cities. Then tribes of Semites invaded the land and settled in it, and became its rulers. This was followed in course of time by an Elamite invasion; from which the land was finally delivered by Khammurabi, the son of Amarpel (“Amraphel, king of Shinar,” Gen. 14:1), who became the founder of the new empire of Chaldea. (See AMRAPHEL.)