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

1. the chief Babylonian god; his consort was Sarpanitu