Babylōn (Βαβυλών) is the Greek form of Hebrew Babel, from Akkadian Bab-ilim meaning "gate of the gods." In the NT it refers to the historical Babylon (Acts 7:43; Matthew 1:11–12) and, most significantly, to the symbolic Babylon of Revelation — the great harlot representing all ungodly human civilization opposing God.
Babylon in Revelation (chapters 17–18) draws on OT prophetic imagery (Isaiah 13–14; 47; Jeremiah 50–51) to represent the totality of human civilization organized around self-glorification, economic exploitation, and spiritual adultery. The call — "Come out of her, my people" (Revelation 18:4) — is the eternal summons to holy separation from the world's values. Babylon falls; the New Jerusalem descends. The two cities represent two ways of living, two ultimate allegiances. Every Christian must choose which city defines their identity.