Baladan
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Baladan in the Bible?
Merodach-baladan II, also known as Marduk-apla-iddina II, was a Chaldean ruler of Babylon in the 8th century BCE. Biblical accounts describe him sending envoys and gifts to King Hezekiah of Judah upon hearing of the king's illness.
SIGNIFICANCE
The interaction between Merodach-baladan and Hezekiah illustrates the complex diplomatic landscape of the ancient Near East, where smaller kingdoms like Judah navigated the threat of the Neo-Assyrian Empire by seeking alliances with rival powers such as Babylon, thereby providing historical context for the political decisions recorded in the biblical narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.