King of Babylon; released Jehoiachin from prison.
Evil-merodach
Named in 2 verses across 2 books, first in 2 Kings 25:27.
אֱוִיל מְרֹדַךְEvil-merodach
The name means “the fool of Merodach; the fool grinds bitterly.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- People
- Mesopotamia
About Evil-merodach Written by AI
Evil-merodach was a king of Babylon who reigned from 562 to 560 BC. He was the son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonian king who had conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem. In the 37th year of the exile of Jehoiachin, the former king of Judah, Evil-merodach showed him kindness by releasing him from prison (2 Kings 25:27; Jeremiah 52:31). He spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon (2 Kings 25:28; Jeremiah 52:32). Evil-merodach also provided Jehoiachin with regular food allowances for the rest of his life (2 Kings 25:29 to 30; Jeremiah 52:33 to 34). This act of mercy toward the exiled king of Judah is the only event recorded in the Bible about Evil-merodach's reign.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Merodach’s man, the son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (2 Kings 25:27; Jer. 52:31, 34). He seems to have reigned but two years (B.C. 562-560). Influenced probably by Daniel, he showed kindness to Jehoiachin, who had been a prisoner in Babylon for thirty-seven years. He released him, and “spoke kindly to him.” He was murdered by Nergal-sharezer=Neriglissar, his brother-in-law, who succeeded him (Jer. 39:3, 13).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- 2 Kings 25:27
On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Judah’s King Jehoiachin, in the year Evil-merodach became king of Babylon, he released King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison.
- Jeremiah 52:31
On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the first year of the reign of Evil-merodach king of Babylon, he pardoned Jehoiachin king of Judah and released him from prison.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.