KING OF BABYLON · EXILE & RETURN

Evil-merodach. The king of Babylon who brought Jehoiachin out of prison and fed him at his table.

REIGNEDi

Not given c. 562–560 BC (dates vary)

CAPITAL

Babylon

HOUSE

Not stated 4th of 5 in Babylon

SCRIPTURE SAYS

“Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of…”

PROPHETS

None named

BABYLON: 5 RULERS MERODACH-BALADAN → BELSHAZZAR

ON THE WORLD STAGE

The powers of the day

JUDAH

Jehoiachin

BABYLON

Nebuchadnezzar

OUTSIDE THE BIBLE

OUTSIDE THE BIBLE · GREEK, 2ND CENTURY AD

Ptolemy's canon

OUTSIDE THE BIBLE · 592/591 BC

Ration tablets from Babylon

SUCCESSION

Before and after

THE REALM

Babylon and the places of the account

Babylon. Only places Scripture names are shown, each where the Atlas puts it.

WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS

What Scripture says of him

  • "Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison". 2 Kings 25:27
  • "He spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon". 2 Kings 25:28
  • Jehoiachin changed his prison garments and ate bread before him "all the days of his life", with a daily allowance from the king. 2 Kings 25:29–30 Jeremiah 52:33–34

DEALINGS

Dealings with God's people

  • Other captive kings were kept in Babylon with Jehoiachin; Jehoiachin's throne was set above theirs. 2 Kings 25:28
  • Judah's captive king was given new garments and a place at the king's table. 2 Kings 25:29

EVENTS

Wars, works and turning points

Each mark sits at the year of the reign the Bible gives for it.

UNDATED IN SCRIPTURE

TWO ACCOUNTS

Where the accounts differ

The day of the release

2 KINGS

JEREMIAH

When in his reign

2 KINGS

JEREMIAH

DATES DIFFER

When was it?

DOUGHERTY (1929)

c. 562–560 BC[70]

SCRIPTURE'S NUMBERS

No years given

"In the year that he began to reign" (2 Kgs 25:27), "in the first year of his reign" (Jer 52:31): the 37th year of Jehoiachin's captivity.

ROGERS (1912)

c. 561–560 BC[75]

Ptolemy's canon: two years from 561 BC.

IN SCRIPTURE

Every passage

CHAPTERS · 2

2 Kings 25 Jeremiah 52

PASSAGES · 2

2 Kings 25:27–30 Jeremiah 52:31–34

WHAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY

  • Scripture does not say why he released Jehoiachin.
  • Scripture does not call him Nebuchadnezzar's son, and does not say how his reign ended.
  • Scripture does not say how long Jehoiachin lived after his release.

SOURCES

Where this page comes from

  • A. K. Grayson, Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles (facts only) (1975), Chronicle 5.
  • A. K. Grayson, Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles, Chronicle 1 (facts only; read in Livius's reproduction) (1975), Chronicle 1, column i, lines 27–28.
  • C. F. Keil, tr. A. Harper, The Books of the Chronicles (Keil and Delitzsch) (1872), note on 1 Chr 5:26 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. J. Martin, The Twelve Minor Prophets (Keil and Delitzsch) (1868), note on Hos 10:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. J. Martin, The Twelve Minor Prophets (Keil and Delitzsch) (1868), note on Hos 5:13 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A Bible Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on 1 Chr 5:26 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A Bible Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on 2 Chr 33:11 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A Bible Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on 2 Kgs 20:12 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A Bible Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on Dan 1:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A Bible Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on Dan 4:33 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A Bible Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on Hos 10:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A Bible Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on Isa 20:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, The Annals of Sennacherib (Oriental Institute Publications 2) (1924), p. 156, "Epigraph: Sennacherib at Lachish".
  • D. D. Luckenbill, The Annals of Sennacherib (Oriental Institute Publications 2) (1924), pp. 32–34 (Oriental Institute Prism, col. III).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, The Annals of Sennacherib (Oriental Institute Publications 2) (1924), Introduction, pp. 11–13.
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. I (1926), §761, p. 269 (Tiglath-pileser's annals; reign 745–727 B.C.).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. I (1926), §772, p. 276 (annals: tribute list).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. I (1926), §777, p. 279 (annals: Hadaru, the 591 cities of Aram).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. I (1926), §801, p. 287 (Nimrud tablet: tribute list).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. I (1926), §§815–816, pp. 292–293 (fragmentary annals text).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. I (1926), §§828–830, p. 297 (Shalmaneser V).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §1198, pp. 436–438 (eponym list with notes).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §137, pp. 71–72 (Sargon's Nimrud inscription).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §17, p. 7 (Sargon's annals: Arab tribes settled in Samaria).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §§193–195, pp. 105–106 (Sargon: prism fragment on Ashdod).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §231, p. 115 (Sennacherib: reign 705–681 B.C.).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §234, pp. 116–117 (Sennacherib's first campaign).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §240, pp. 119–121 (Sennacherib's third campaign).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §§242–243, pp. 121–122 (Sennacherib's fourth campaign).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §§30–31, pp. 13–14 (Sargon's annals, years 11 and 12).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §4, p. 2 (Sargon's annals, year 1).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §497, p. 199 (Esarhaddon: reign 680–669 B.C.).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §§501–506, pp. 200–202 (Esarhaddon's accession).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §55, p. 26 (Sargon's display inscription).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §580, pp. 226–227 (Esarhaddon's stele from Senjirli).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §66, pp. 33–34 (Sargon's display inscription: Merodach-baladan).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §690, pp. 265–266 (Esarhaddon's prism).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), §876, p. 340 (Ashurbanipal's cylinder C).
  • D. D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. II (1927), List of Assyrian kings, pp. 439–442.
  • D. J. Wiseman, Chronicles of Chaldaean Kings (626–556 B.C.) in the British Museum (facts only) (1956), BM 21946.
  • E. F. Weidner, "Jojachin, König von Juda, in babylonischen Keilschrifttexten", Mélanges syriens offerts à M. René Dussaud, vol. II (facts only) (1939), pp. 923–935.
  • Geneva Bible translators, Geneva Bible marginal notes (1599), note on Dan 5:2 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Geneva Bible translators, Geneva Bible marginal notes (1599), note on Isa 20:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1897), note on 1 Chr 5:26 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1897), note on 2 Chr 33:11 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1897), note on 2 Kgs 20:12 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1897), note on Hos 10:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1897), note on Hos 5:13 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1897), note on Isa 20:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Herodotus, tr. G. C. Macaulay, The History of Herodotus, vol. 1 (1890), Book I, §§188 and 191.
  • Herodotus, tr. G. C. Macaulay, The History of Herodotus, vol. 1 (1890), Book II, §141.
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  • J. Skinner, The Book of the Prophet Isaiah (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1896–1898), note on Isa 20:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament (1748–1763), note on 1 Chr 5:26 (read on Bible Hub).
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament (1748–1763), note on 2 Chr 33:11 (read on Bible Hub).
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament (1748–1763), note on Dan 1:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament (1748–1763), note on Hos 10:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament (1748–1763), note on Isa 20:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Joseph Benson, Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818), note on Dan 5:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Dan 5:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Hos 10:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Hos 5:13 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Isa 20:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • R. D. Wilson, "Belshazzar", International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915).
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on 2 Chr 33:11 (read on Bible Hub).
  • R. P. Dougherty, Nabonidus and Belshazzar (Yale Oriental Series, Researches XV) (1929), p. 106 (the 'Verse Account', col. II, lines 18–20).
  • R. P. Dougherty, Nabonidus and Belshazzar (Yale Oriental Series, Researches XV) (1929), pp. 172–174 (the Nabonidus Chronicle on the fall of Babylon).
  • R. P. Dougherty, Nabonidus and Belshazzar (Yale Oriental Series, Researches XV) (1929), pp. 196–197, with notes 649, 652 and 654.
  • R. P. Dougherty, Nabonidus and Belshazzar (Yale Oriental Series, Researches XV) (1929), pp. 60–62.
  • R. P. Dougherty, Nabonidus and Belshazzar (Yale Oriental Series, Researches XV) (1929), pp. 6–7 (the Neo-Babylonian kings in the cuneiform texts).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), p. 202 (Babylonian king list).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 208–212 (the Babylonian Chronicle, cols. I–II).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 215–217 (the Babylonian Chronicle, cols. III–IV).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 237–238 (eponym lists, 708–704 B.C.).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), p. 239 (the Ptolemaic Canon).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 308–313 (Tiglathpileser IV, introduction).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), p. 316 (Tiglathpileser's annals, line 150).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 319–321 (Tiglathpileser on Pekah and Hoshea).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), p. 322 (Nimroud tablet, with note).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 323–326 (Sargon II, introduction; annals on Samaria).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 328–331 (Sargon: the campaign against Ashdod).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 332–333 (Sennacherib, introduction).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 343–345 (Sennacherib against Jerusalem).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 347–348 (Polyhistor and Abydenus).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 349–352 (Esarhaddon, introduction).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), p. 356 (Esarhaddon, Prism B).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 360–364 (Nebuchadrezzar, introduction).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), p. 367 (Nebuchadrezzar's campaign against Egypt).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 368–369 (building inscription of Nebuchadrezzar).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 371–378 (Nabonidus, Belshazzar and Cyrus, introduction).
  • R. W. Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament (1912), pp. 378–379 (the four clay cylinders of Nabonidus, col. II).
  • S. R. Driver, The Book of Daniel (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1900), note on Dan 1:1, pp. 1–2.
  • S. R. Driver, The Book of Daniel (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1900), Introduction to ch. V, p. 60.
  • S. R. Driver, The Book of Daniel (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1900), Additional note on Nebuchadnezzar's madness, pp. 58–60.
  • S. R. Driver, The Book of Daniel (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1900), Introduction, pp. l–li.
  • T. K. Cheyne, Hosea (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1884), note on Hos 10:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • T. K. Cheyne, Hosea (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1884), note on Hos 5:13 (read on Bible Hub).
  • W. E. Barnes, The Books of Chronicles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1899), note on 1 Chr 5:26 (read on Bible Hub).
  • W. E. Barnes, The Books of Chronicles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1899), note on 2 Chr 33:11 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Xenophon, tr. H. G. Dakyns, Cyropaedia: The Education of Cyrus (1914), Book VII, ch. 5, §§15–33.

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