The God Merodach

The Hebrew form for Marduk,the most important Babylonian god,whose downfall was foretold to coincide with Babylon’s overthrow.The Babylonian Kings Merodach-baladan and Evil Merodach were undoubtly named after these gods.With the rise of Babylon to prominence,because of King Hammurabi’s making it the capital of Babylonia,Merodach likewise increase in importance.The attributes of other god came to be assigned to him,and it is thought that the Babylonian priest altered the mythological accounts to make Merodach the slayer of Tiamat and the creator of the world and of man .Babylonian text identified Mardukas the son of Ea the god presiding over the watery elements the consort of Sarpanitu ,and the father of Nebo.The Kingship over Babylon was closely associated with the image of Merodach at his temple.Esagila for the rulers of Babylon were not installed by coronation but became kings by taking hold of the hand of Merodach.The ceremony was repeated each year at the new years festival.Even during the time that Assyria controlled Babylonia,the Kings of Assyria were required to come to Babylon each year for the new year festival and legalize their claim to the throne by taking hold of Merodach ’s hand.Jeremiah the phrophet with respect to Babylons fall,foretold that Merodach would become terrified .This came true in the sense that Merodach proved to be unable to preserve the dignity of the Babylonian world power ,and since the conquerors of Babylon were worshipers of other dieties,his future became very uncertain,filled with foreboding.