bel-merodach
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Definition
Noun 1. Bel-Merodach: The chief god in the Babylonian pantheon, associated with wisdom, judgment, and magic. He was later identified with the planet Jupiter. His consort was the goddess Sarpanitu.
Usage
- Bel-Merodach was a central figure in Babylonian religion and mythology.
- The city of Babylon was considered the cult center for Bel-Merodach.
- In ancient texts, Bel-Merodach is often credited with establishing order and law.
Advanced Usage
- As Marduk: In scholarly contexts, Bel-Merodach is almost universally identified with the god Marduk. "Bel" (Lord) was a title, and "Merodach" is a variant of Marduk.
- The epic Enuma Elish tells the story of Marduk's rise to become the king of the gods, a narrative central to the worship of Bel-Merodach.
Variants and Related Words
- Marduk (n): The primary name for the same Babylonian deity. This is the more common name used in Assyriology.
- Bel (n): A title meaning "Lord," often used as a shortened form for Bel-Merodach/Marduk, and also for other chief gods like the Canaanite Baal.
Synonyms
- Marduk: The direct synonym and original name.
- Jupiter: In the context of planetary identification in later classical tradition.
Related Phrases and Cultural References
- The Enuma Elish: The Babylonian creation epic where Marduk/Bel-Merodach defeats the chaos monster Tiamat and creates the world.
- The Esagila: The name of the temple complex dedicated to Marduk/Bel-Merodach in Babylon.
- Akitu festival: The Babylonian New Year festival, during which the king's legitimacy was renewed by Bel-Merodach.
Noun
- the chief Babylonian god; his consort was Sarpanitu