Amel-Marduk

Amel-Marduk (d. 560 BC), called Evil-merodach in the Hebrew Bible, was the son and successor of Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon. He reigned only two years (562 - 560 BC). According to the Biblical Book of Kings, he pardoned and released Jehoiachin, king of Judah, who had been a prisoner in Babylon for thirty-seven years. () Allegedly because Amel-Marduk tried to modify his father's policies, he was murdered by Nergal-sharezer (Neriglissar), his brother-in-law, who succeeded him.
== Biography ==
His name, along with the length of his reign, are recorded in the 'Uruk King List' and the Canon of Ptolemy, however no surviving cuneiform document records anything concerning his life or deeds.Sack, 1992. Berossus writes that he was murdered in a plot orchestrated by Nergal-sharezer, his successor and brother-in-law.Josephus, Apion 1.20 Berossus also notes that "he governed public affairs after an illegal and impure manner", possibly an allusion to actions that infuriated the priestly class,Hirsch 1901-1906 including reforms made to the policies of Nebuchadrezzar.Oded 2007
One such reform is recorded in the Hebrew Bible,2 Kings 25:27, Jeremiah 52:31 where Evil-Merodach (Heb.: אֱוִיל מְרֹדַךְ, ˒ĕwı̂l merōdak) is remembered for releasing the Jewish king Jehoiachin from prison after thirty seven years in captivity.
Later Jewish and Christian texts expand the Biblical account. Josephus and the Avot of Rabbi Natan state that the king believed Jehoiachin was held by his father without cause, and thus decided to release him upon the latter's death. Josephus assigned eighteen years to his reign.Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus, Book X, chapter 11 pg. 216 Leviticus Rabbah 18:2 states that Evil-Merodach was made king while Nebuchadrezzar was still living, and was punished for this act of rebellion by his father, who had him imprisoned. In Esther Rabbah, Evil-Merodach, owing to his father's actions before his death, is heir to a bankrupt treasury. Seder Olam Rabbah assigned twenty three years to his reign.Transactions of the Chronological Institute of London, T. Richards 1852, pg 120...see also pg 121
==See also==
* Kings of Babylon
==References==
* Hirsch, E.G. et al. Evil-Merodach in Singer, Isidore; Adler, Cyrus; (eds.) et al. (1901–1906) The Jewish Encyclopedia. Funk and Wagnalls, New York. LCCN 16-014703
* Oded, B. Evil-Merodach in Skolnik, F., & Berenbaum, M. (2007). Encyclopaedia Judaica, vol. 6, Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA in association with the Keter Pub. House.
* Sack, R.H. Evil-Merodach in Freedman, et al. (1992). Anchor Bible Dictionary, vol. 2, New York: Doubleday.
* Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Category:Babylonian kings
Category:Chaldeans
Category:Monarchs of the Hebrew Bible
Category:Biblical murder victims
Category:560 BC deaths