History of Israel and the Jewish People

Timeline›Babylonian Exile

Amel-Marduk (Babylon)

−560

Hebrew year: 3201 (ג׳ר״א)

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Imagined portraits of the Babylonian kings Evil-Merodach (Amel-Marduk), who freed Jehoiachin, and Neriglissar, print, 1610 (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam).
Imagined portraits of the Babylonian kings Evil-Merodach (Amel-Marduk), who freed Jehoiachin, and Neriglissar, print, 1610 (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam). · Public domain (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons

Amel-Marduk, known in the Hebrew Bible as Evil-Merodach, was king of Babylon from −562 to −560 and the son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar II.

He is remembered in Jewish history for releasing King Jehoiachin of Judah from imprisonment after approximately 37 years of captivity. According to 2 Kings 25:27–30 and Jeremiah 52:31–34, Amel-Marduk treated Jehoiachin favorably, granted him a place of honor at the royal court, and provided him with regular provisions.

His actions marked an important moment in the Babylonian exile, demonstrating the continued recognition of Judah's royal dynasty even after the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple.

Hebrew year
3201 (ג׳ר״א)
Place
Babylon
Category
Foreign rulers & empires
Part of
Babylonian Exile

At the same time

Foreign Rulers