August 3, 2022
Amel-Marduk, King Nebuchadnezzar's son, succeeded his father to the throne of Babylonia to become the third ruler.
Nebuchadnezzar II, featured prominently in the Bible, particularly in the book of Daniel, reigned 43 years, 605 - 562 BC, the longest of this Neo-Babylonian empire.
His son, on the other hand, would serve the second shortest reign, at two years, before being assassinated by a brother-in-law, Neriglissar, a prominent Babylonian official and military general who had married one of Nebuchadnezzar's daughters. Neriglissar made himself king and ruled for four years, 560 - 556 BC.
Amel-Marduk means "man of Marduk", where Marduk is the national god of Babylonia as well as the patron god of the city of Babylon. Being the national god made Marduk the supreme god over all of the other ones.
Nebuchadnezzar means "Nabu, watch over my heir" where Nabu is an ancient Mesopotamian god of literacy, science, scribes and wisdom. Nebuchadnezzar's father, and founder of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, Nabopolassar, and the last Babylonian king, Nabonidus, also are named after the god Nabu.
Nebuchadnezzar put Amel-Marduk in prison along with the rebellious King of Judah, Jehoiachin. King Jehoiachin was evil and reigned only three months before he was taken captive to Babylon at the age of about 18. 2 Kings 24:8-15 and 2 Chronicles 26:9-10 tell about this. He was the second to last king of Judah.
2 Kings 24:8-15 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+24%3A8-15&version=NIV
2 Chronicles 26:9-10 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+26%3A9-10&version=NIV
When Nebuchadnezzar died, Amel-Marduk became king and freed Jehoiachin from prison after 37 years. This generous act must have been due to their friendship in prison because 2 Kings 25:27-30 tells of the special royal treatment Jehoiachin received for the rest of his life, albeit far from the land of Israel.
The NIV translates Amel-Marduk as Awel-Marduk while the NASB and ESV say Evil-merodach.
While Amel-Marduk was in prison, he wrote a prayer, recorded on this clay cuneiform tablet:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1881-0428-13
While the stated author is Nabu-shum-ukin, some scholars have thought this person to be Amel-Marduk, with the explanation that upon release from prison, he changed his name in reverence to the god Marduk who answered his prayer.
Amel-Marduk felt that he was unjustly imprisoned and prayed to Marduk for help. His prayer ends:
A prayer by a weary captive who was bound by an evildoer. He recites it to Marduk:
May he be released through the prayer to Marduk, so that the people and the land may witness his greatness!
The work of the weary, exhausted Nabû-shuma-ukin, son of Nebuchadnezzar.
[missing text] let them witness every one of these afflictions!
Source: Page 332 https://sophushelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Helle-2020-The-First-Authors-1.pdf
In the Bible, the appearance of Nebuchadnezzar is the beginning of the end of Israel as a nation from the time of Moses through the united monarchy of Kings Saul, David and Solomon.
After Israel split into two kingdoms under King Solomon's son and successor, King Rehoboam, the Northern Tribes (Kingdom of Israel), were wiped out by Assyria by 720BC.
The Southern Tribes (Kingdom of Judah), would survive until Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, including the temple, in 587 BC. He deported most of the important Jews to Babylon.
