Merodach
Summary
The chief god of Babylon, also called Marduk, mentioned in Scripture as a false deity destined for judgment.
☩Babylonian Deity
Merodach (Hebrew form of Marduk) was the patron deity of Babylon and head of the Babylonian pantheon. According to Babylonian mythology, Marduk defeated the chaos monster Tiamat and created the world from her body. His great temple, Esagila, and ziggurat, Etemenanki, dominated Babylon.
☩Biblical References
Jeremiah prophesied Babylon's fall: 'Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces' (Jeremiah 50:2). Bel ('Lord') was another title for Marduk. The prophecy declares that Babylon's god would be helpless to prevent the empire's destruction.
☩In Personal Names
The name Merodach appears in royal Babylonian names: Merodach-baladan ('Marduk has given an heir'), the king who sent envoys to Hezekiah (Isaiah 39:1); and Evil-merodach ('Man of Marduk'), who released Jehoiachin from prison (2 Kings 25:27). Such theophoric names honored the deity in hopes of securing his blessing.