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Merodach

also known as: Merodak, Marduk, and Bel-Marduk

Hebrew: מְרֹדָךְ —transliteration: Merodak —meaning: death; slaughter

This is the name of the prime Babylonian sky god. Today he is most commonly known as Marduk. The Babylonians believed he created mankind and brought order to the universe out of chaos. He is represented with a dragon. His consort was Zarpanitum.

In the city of Babylon, Marduk was worshipped in the temple Esagila (aka Esangil), south of the Etemenanki ziggurat. His pagan temple was recontructed by Esarhaddon, king of Assyria. Nebuchadnezzar II later completed the final form of the Esagila complex.

Marduk’s father was Enki, “lord of the earth,” god of creation, water, knowledge, mischief, and crafts. He is also associated with the number 40.

Marduk is associated with a mythical divine wind weapon called Imhullu which he used against Tiamat, a primordial sea goddess who brought forth a series of monsters. She is sometimes depicted as a sea serpent or dragon. She is also portrayed as a mother to all the gods.

By the King Hammurabi (aka Khammurabi) period, Marduk had become astrologically associated with the planet Jupiter.

During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar I, the statue of Marduk, formerly captured by Elamites, was restored to Babylon.

“Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.” —Jeremiah 50:2 KJV

Compare:

“Declare and proclaim among the nations.
Proclaim it and lift up a flag,
Do not conceal it.
Say, ‘Babylon has been captured,
Bel has been put to shame, Marduk has been shattered;
Her idols have been put to shame, her images have been shattered.’ —Jeremiah 50:2 NASB

This name frequently occurs as a surname to the kings of Assyria and Babylon, including Evil-Merodach king of Babylon and Merodach-baladan (Merodachbaladan) son of Baladan (king of Babylon).

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Article Version: January 16, 2025