Chapter 3: He consults the astrologers of the temple of Bel.

Bel was the city god of Babylon, and was also known as Marduk. His temple was called the Esagila and was considered by the Babylonians to be the center of the world. Within the Sanctum Sanctorum stood the idol Bel and his wife Zarpanitum.

The priests, or astrologers, of the temple of Bel were scholars like Hiram, and he found their company congenial. He could converse with them easily in Aramaic. At night they taught him the names of the stars and the legends associated with them.