Definition

Proper noun The chief deity of the Babylonian pantheon, associated with wisdom, judgment, and the planet Jupiter. He is a later, specifically Babylonian, form of the earlier Sumerian god Marduk. His consort was the goddess Sarpanitu.

Usage Notes

• This term refers specifically to the Babylonian iteration of the god. It is often used in historical, religious, and mythological contexts.
• The name is a compound, but it functions as a single, proper noun referring to the deity. The more common and direct name for this god is Marduk.

Examples

• In the Babylonian creation epic, Baal Merodach defeats the primordial goddess Tiamat.
• The city of Babylon was the cult center for the worship of Baal Merodach.
• Scholars note that Baal Merodach absorbed the attributes and titles of many earlier Mesopotamian gods.

Advanced Usage

• The name "Baal Merodach" appears in some older English translations of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., the King James Version) for the god referenced in Jeremiah 50:2.

Variants and Related Words

• Marduk: The more standard and frequently used name for the same deity.
• Bel: A title meaning "Lord," which became a common name for Marduk/Baal Merodach.
• Sarpanitu: The proper noun for his consort, the goddess.

Synonyms

• Marduk
• Bel (as a title/name)

Notes on Different Meanings

This term has only one specific meaning: it is the name of a Babylonian god. It does not have other general definitions.

Noun

1. the chief Babylonian god; his consort was Sarpanitu