מְרֹדַךְ בַּלְאֲדָן (me.ro.dakh bal.a.dan)
me.ro.dakh bal.a.dan
Merodach-baladan
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Merodach-baladan identifies a specific historical figure, the king of Babylon during the reign of Hezekiah in Judah. The sources note that this is an alternative spelling for the more common form Berodach-baladan found elsewhere in Scripture. His name carries a clear theological statement: "Marduk has given a son," invoking Marduk, the chief deity of the Babylonian pantheon.
He appears in only one verse in the book of Isaiah (39:1), though he is also recorded in 2 Kings 20:12. In that narrative, he sends envoys to Hezekiah after hearing of the king’s illness and recovery. This brief mention serves as a historical marker for the political tensions between Judah and Babylon during the Divided Monarchy.
The occurrence is sparse but significant for understanding the geopolitical landscape of the eighth century BCE. The name itself reflects the religious identity of its bearer, while his diplomatic mission highlights the growing influence of Babylon on the southern kingdom just before its eventual exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Merodach-baladan carries a heavy theological weight, meaning "Marduk has given a son." This invocation of Babylon’s chief god stands in stark contrast to the God of Israel. When this king sent envoys to King Hezekiah after his recovery, it was not merely a diplomatic gesture but a test of loyalty and trust. The encounter reveals how political alliances often mask deeper spiritual questions about whom we truly serve.
For believers today, this historical moment serves as a reminder that our security does not rest in human power or international relations. Instead, it calls us to examine where our hearts place their ultimate trust. By looking beyond the surface of political maneuvering, we are invited to anchor our faith in the sovereignty of God, who remains faithful regardless of the shifting tides of history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Merodach-1×
- Baladan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְרֹדַ֣ךְ1×
- בַּ֠לְאֲדָן1×
Key Verses
-
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.
This verse captures the critical moment where Babylonian political influence intersects with Judah’s royal court, highlighting the tension between trusting in foreign powers versus relying on God.