Original Word: אֱוִיל מְרֹדַךְ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Eviyl Mrodak
Pronunciation: eh-veel meh-roh-dahk
Phonetic Spelling: (ev-eel' mer-o-dak')
KJV: Evil-merodach
NASB: Evil-merodach
Word Origin: [of Aramaic derivation and probably meaning soldier of Merodak]

1. Evil-Merodak, a Babylonian king

Evil-merodach

Of Aramaic derivation and probably meaning soldier of Merodak; Evil-Merodak, a Babylonian king -- Evil-merodach.

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
"man of Merodach," son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar
NASB Translation
Evil-merodach (2).

אֱוִיּל מְרֹדַךְ proper name, masculine (Babylonian Avêl (Amêl) Maruduk, man of Merodach) son & successor of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, B.C. 562-60, 2 Kings 25:27 (see COT) = Jeremiah 52:31.

I. אול (be foolish, compare יאל, & Arabic grow thick (of fluids)).

Historical Setting

Evil-merodach reigned over the Neo-Babylonian Empire from approximately 562 to 560 BC, succeeding his father Nebuchadnezzar II. His short rule unfolded during the waning strength of Babylon and the rising influence of the Medo-Persian coalition that would soon fulfill Isaiah’s and Jeremiah’s prophecies concerning Babylon’s fall.

Biblical Narrative

Scripture mentions Evil-merodach twice. Both records focus on a single act committed “in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah” (2 Kings 25:27; Jeremiah 52:31). In the twelfth month of his accession year, Evil-merodach “brought Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison. He spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the thrones of the kings who were with him in Babylon” (2 Kings 25:27-28). The chronicled generosity further included daily provisions “all the days of his life” (Jeremiah 52:34). No other deeds of the monarch are preserved in canonical Scripture, highlighting the divine emphasis on this solitary but significant gesture toward the exiled Davidic king.

Character and Actions

The biblical portrayal is concise yet revealing. Evil-merodach’s kindness contrasts sharply with the harsh policies often associated with Babylon. By elevating Jehoiachin, he unwittingly served God’s broader redemptive program, preserving the Davidic line and underscoring the Lord’s promise that “the offspring of David shall never be cut off” (compare Jeremiah 33:17). Scripture offers no evaluation of Evil-merodach’s spiritual state; his act is presented as historical fact that advances covenant purposes.

Theological Implications

1. Preservation of the Davidic Line: Jehoiachin’s elevation in Babylon anticipates the eventual restoration of Judah and foreshadows the birth of Messiah through David’s house (Matthew 1:11-12).
2. Sovereignty of God over Nations: The episode exemplifies Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.” Even a pagan ruler becomes an instrument of divine mercy.
3. Hope Amid Exile: For the Jewish captives, the event confirmed Jeremiah’s promise of future grace (Jeremiah 29:10-14), offering a tangible sign that God had not forgotten His covenant people.

Prophetic and Redemptive Themes

The favor shown to Jehoiachin occurred shortly after Jeremiah’s oracles declaring Babylon’s inevitable downfall (Jeremiah 51). God’s timing—granting mercy to the Davidic king while pronouncing judgment on the oppressor—illustrates His dual work of judgment and salvation. It anticipates the greater deliverance accomplished in Jesus Christ, in whom captives are set free (Luke 4:18).

Ministry Applications

• Encouragement for the Discouraged: The account teaches that divine intervention often arrives unexpectedly and through unlikely agents.
• Leadership and Kindness: Evil-merodach’s act models how rulers and believers alike can reflect God’s compassion.
• Faithfulness in Exile: Jehoiachin’s eventual honor encourages believers living in hostile cultures to remain steadfast, trusting God’s timing.

Related Historical Sources

Babylonian tablets, such as the “Babylonian Chronicle” and fragments from the “Royal Letters,” confirm a king named Amel-Marduk (the Akkadian counterpart of Evil-merodach) who succeeded Nebuchadnezzar and was assassinated after a brief reign. These records, while terse, align with the biblical timeframe and affirm the Scriptures’ historical precision.

Summary

Evil-merodach’s brief appearance in Scripture illuminates God’s providence, the unbroken preservation of the Davidic promise, and the Lord’s compassionate regard for His people even under foreign domination.

מְרֹדַךְ֩ מרדך mə·rō·ḏaḵ merodaCh mərōḏaḵInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts