a variation of מְרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאָדָן; Berodak-Baladan, a Babylonian king; Berodach-baladan.Birliy.
Transliteration:Bᵉrôʼdak Balʼădân
Pronunciation:ber-o-dak' bal-ad-awn'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma בְּרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאֲדָן (Bᵉrôʼdak Balʼădân, `{{H1255}}`) is a proper noun, identifying a specific historical figure: a king of Babylon. Its base definition explicitly states it is a variation of מְרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאָדָן (Merodach-Baladan, `{{H4781}}`). The name itself is derived from Akkadian and holds significant meaning within a Mesopotamian context. "Merodach" (or "Berodach") refers to Marduk, the chief deity of the Babylonian pantheon. "Baladan" means "Marduk has given a son" or "Marduk is his lord." Thus, the name proclaims the king's divine favor and lineage according to Babylonian theology. As a proper noun, its semantic range is narrow, referring solely to this individual monarch, but its components reveal a deep connection to Babylonian religious and political identity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name בְּרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאֲדָן (Bᵉrôʼdak Balʼădân, `{{H1255}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible in a single instance:
* [[2 Kings 20:12]]: "At that time Berodach-Baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick."
This verse describes an embassy sent from Babylon to King Hezekiah of Judah. The context immediately precedes the prophet Isaiah's confrontation with Hezekiah regarding the king's imprudent display of all his treasures to the Babylonian envoys. This event serves as a pivotal moment, leading to Isaiah's prophecy of the Babylonian exile and the plundering of Judah's wealth. The parallel account in [[Isaiah 39:1]] uses the variant spelling מְרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאָדָן (Merodach-Baladan, `{{H4781}}`), confirming it refers to the same historical figure, Merodach-Baladan II, a Chaldean prince who twice seized the Babylonian throne from the Assyrians (722–710 BC and 703 BC). His diplomatic overture to Hezekiah was likely an attempt to forge an alliance against the common Assyrian enemy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is מְרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאָדָן (Merodach-Baladan, `{{H4781}}`), which is the primary form of the name and refers to the identical historical figure. The variation in spelling (Berodach vs. Merodach) is a common phenomenon in ancient transliterations and orthography.
Conceptually, בְּרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאֲדָן (Bᵉrôʼdak Balʼădân, `{{H1255}}`) is intertwined with several significant biblical themes:
* **Babylonian Empire:** The rise of Babylon as a major power and its eventual role as God's instrument of judgment against Judah.
* **International Diplomacy:** The intricate web of alliances and rivalries among ancient Near Eastern kingdoms.
* **Pride and Consequences:** Hezekiah's prideful display of his kingdom's wealth to the Babylonian envoys, which directly leads to Isaiah's prophecy of exile.
* **Prophecy:** The fulfillment of Isaiah's word regarding the future Babylonian captivity, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and nations.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** Even a pagan king like Berodach-Baladan, with a name honoring a false god, unknowingly serves God's ultimate purposes.
### Theological Significance
While בְּרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאֲדָן (Bᵉrôʼdak Balʼădân, `{{H1255}}`) is a foreign king, his brief appearance in the biblical narrative carries profound theological weight. His embassy to Hezekiah is not merely a historical footnote but a divinely orchestrated test for the king of Judah. Hezekiah's response—his eagerness to display his material wealth rather than relying on the Lord—reveals a heart susceptible to pride and worldly alliances. This moment serves as a critical turning point, directly precipitating Isaiah's solemn prophecy that all Hezekiah's treasures, and even his descendants, would be carried away to Babylon. Thus, Berodach-Baladan, though a worshiper of Marduk and an adversary of Assyria, becomes an unwitting catalyst for God's unfolding plan of judgment and discipline for Judah. His presence underscores God's absolute sovereignty, extending even over foreign rulers and their political machinations, to bring about His purposes for His covenant people. The encounter highlights the dangers of pride and the necessity of complete trust in Yahweh alone, even in times of diplomatic opportunity.
### Summary
בְּרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאֲדָן (Bᵉrôʼdak Balʼădân, `{{H1255}}`) refers to Berodach-Baladan, a king of Babylon, whose name signifies "Marduk has given a son." It is a variant spelling of מְרֹאדַךְ בַּלְאָדָן (Merodach-Baladan, `{{H4781}}`), the same historical figure. Appearing in [[2 Kings 20:12]], his embassy to King Hezekiah of Judah serves as a crucial turning point. Hezekiah's prideful display of his kingdom's wealth to these envoys prompts the prophet Isaiah to declare God's judgment: the future Babylonian captivity of Judah and the plundering of its treasures. Theologically, Berodach-Baladan's role, though brief, is significant as a divinely permitted test for Hezekiah, highlighting the consequences of pride and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all nations and their rulers in bringing about His redemptive and disciplinary purposes.
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