from בֵּל and אָדוֹן (contracted); Bel (is his) lord; Baladan, the name of a Babylonian prince; Baladan.
Transliteration:Balʼădân
Pronunciation:bal-ad-awn'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun בַּלְאֲדָן (Balʼădân), Strong's number `{{H1081}}`, is a theophoric name, meaning "Bel (is his) lord." It is derived from two constituent elements: בֵּל (Bel), referring to the chief Babylonian deity, Marduk, often invoked by the title "Bel" (meaning "lord"); and אָדוֹן (ʼădôn), meaning "lord" or "master." The name thus signifies a dedication or allegiance to the god Bel, indicating that the bearer was considered a devotee or servant of this prominent Mesopotamian deity. As a proper name, its semantic range is limited to its specific etymological meaning and the individual it designates.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Baladan appears in the Hebrew Bible in two parallel passages, both identifying him as the father of Merodach-Baladan, king of Babylon.
* In [[2 Kings 20:12]], we read: "At that time Berodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick." (Note: Some texts have "Berodach-Baladan" which is an orthographic variant of "Merodach-Baladan").
* Similarly, [[Isaiah 39:1]] states: "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."
These occurrences place Baladan squarely within the historical context of the late 8th and early 7th centuries BCE, specifically during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Baladan himself is not depicted as an active participant in the biblical narrative but is significant as the progenitor of Merodach-Baladan, a prominent figure who sends envoys to Hezekiah. This diplomatic exchange, while seemingly innocuous, serves as a critical turning point in Hezekiah's reign, leading to a prophetic judgment from Isaiah concerning the future Babylonian exile. The mention of Baladan thus grounds Merodach-Baladan's identity within a recognized Babylonian royal lineage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name Baladan is intrinsically linked to several key concepts and terms:
* **Bel (בֵּל):** The primary deity associated with the name. Bel, a title for the god Marduk, was the patron deity of Babylon and the head of the Babylonian pantheon. His worship was central to Babylonian religious life, and his name frequently appeared in theophoric personal names and royal inscriptions.
* **Marduk:** The Akkadian name for the deity commonly referred to as Bel.
* **Adon (אָדוֹן):** The Hebrew word for "lord" or "master" (`{{H113}}`), which forms the latter part of Baladan's name, emphasizing the aspect of divine lordship.
* **Merodach-Baladan:** Baladan's son (`{{H4781}}`), whose name similarly incorporates "Merodach" (another form of Marduk) and "Baladan," indicating a continued familial devotion to the Babylonian deity. This dynastic naming convention highlights the deep-seated polytheism of the Babylonian court.
* **Babylon/Chaldea:** The geo-political and cultural sphere from which Baladan and his son emerged. The empire of Babylon, with its powerful deities and imperial ambitions, stands in stark contrast to the singular worship of Yahweh in Judah.
* **Idolatry/Polytheism:** The very nature of the name "Bel is his lord" immediately points to the worship of gods other than Yahweh, underscoring the pervasive polytheism of the ancient Near East and the theological conflict between the nations and Israel's monotheistic faith.
### Theological Significance
While Baladan himself plays no direct role in the biblical narrative, his name and his son's actions carry significant theological weight:
1. **Clash of Deities:** The name "Bel is his lord" starkly contrasts with the biblical emphasis on Yahweh as the one true God. Baladan and his lineage represent the powerful, pagan world that stood in opposition to the covenant people of God. The narrative indirectly highlights the theological tension between the worship of false gods and the exclusive devotion demanded by Yahweh.
2. **Divine Sovereignty over Nations:** Despite the power and influence of kings like Merodach-Baladan, whose very names proclaimed allegiance to pagan deities, the biblical account consistently demonstrates Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and their rulers. The sending of envoys by Merodach-Baladan, the son of Baladan, to Hezekiah is not an arbitrary event but is woven into Yahweh's overarching plan, leading to a prophetic utterance concerning Judah's future.
3. **Warning Against Pride and Reliance on Man:** The interaction between Hezekiah and Merodach-Baladan's envoys, facilitated by the lineage of Baladan, serves as a pivotal moment of spiritual failure for Hezekiah. His prideful display of treasures to the Babylonian delegation leads to Isaiah's prophecy of Judah's future exile to Babylon. Thus, the name Baladan, through his son, is indirectly associated with a profound theological lesson on the dangers of trusting in human alliances or wealth rather than solely in Yahweh. It underscores the consequences of compromising faith by seeking favor from or displaying one's strength to the pagan world.
4. **Theophoric Names as Cultural Markers:** The name Baladan exemplifies the common ancient Near Eastern practice of incorporating deity names into personal names, reflecting the religious landscape of the time. This practice serves as a backdrop against which Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, often reflected in names incorporating "Yah" or "El," is highlighted.
### Summary
Baladan (`{{H1081}}`), meaning "Bel is his lord," is a Babylonian proper name found in the books of [[2 Kings]] and [[Isaiah]]. He is identified as the father of Merodach-Baladan, the king of Babylon who sent envoys to King Hezekiah of Judah. The name itself reflects the deep-seated polytheism of ancient Mesopotamia, particularly the worship of Bel (Marduk), the chief Babylonian deity. While not an active character, Baladan's paternal role is crucial to the narrative involving his son, Merodach-Baladan, whose visit to Hezekiah precipitates a significant prophetic judgment from Isaiah concerning Judah's future Babylonian exile. The theological significance of Baladan lies in his representation of the pagan world's power and its eventual subservience to Yahweh's divine plan, serving as a backdrop for lessons on divine sovereignty, the dangers of pride, and the consequences of relying on human alliances rather than God.
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