בַּלְאֲדָן (bal.a.dan)
bal.a.dan
Baladan
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
בַּלְאֲדָן (Baladan) is a proper name appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, in 2 Kings 20:12 and Isaiah 39:3. The sources identify him as the father of Merodach-baladan, the Babylonian king who sent envoys to Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah. The name itself carries a distinct cultural weight, with lexicons noting its likely meaning as "Bel is his lord," pointing directly to the chief deity of the Babylonian pantheon.
This etymology highlights the religious tension inherent in the biblical narrative. When Hezekiah shows these foreign messengers his treasures, he is not merely engaging in diplomatic courtesy but exposing Judah’s wealth to a nation whose very identity is tied to a different god. The name serves as a brief reminder of the geopolitical and spiritual pressures facing the divided monarchy, where alliances with powerful empires often came with significant theological compromises.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Baladan appears in the Bible as part of a title for a Babylonian king, carrying the meaning "Bel is his lord." This linguistic detail highlights the stark contrast between the God of Israel and the deities of surrounding empires. When Hezekiah received envoys from this ruler, it was not just a diplomatic visit but a moment where spiritual loyalties were implicitly tested.
For your faith, this brief mention serves as a reminder that we live in a world filled with competing claims about what holds ultimate authority. Just as Judah faced pressure from powerful neighbors, you may encounter cultural or professional environments that subtly pull your heart toward other priorities. The text invites us to consider where our true trust lies.
Hezekiah’s response shows the importance of openness but also carries a warning about guarding what is sacred. You are invited to examine your own life: what treasures do you share with the world, and how do they reflect the Lord who owns all things? This story encourages a faithful presence in complex situations.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Baladan2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּלְאֲדָ֧ן2×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 20:12
At that time Berodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
This verse identifies Baladan as the father of the Babylonian king, grounding the political encounter in a specific historical lineage.
-
Isaiah 39:1
At that time, Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick, and had recovered.
Here the name appears again to mark the same event, emphasizing the prophetic record of Hezekiah’s interaction with foreign power.