SPECIAL TOPIC: MARDUK

Also known as Merudack (BDB 597). The Sumerian pantheon was fluid. Originally Marduk was a minor god. The title "lord" was originally applied to Enlil, but when the city of Babylon became more important, her chief deity, Marduk, took the place of Enlil/Bel as the head of the pantheon (see Enuma Elish). The Code of Hammurabi asserts Marduk as king over the cities of Sumer and Akkad, later the city of Babylon.

Marduk was considered the son of the creator god, Ea or Enki (see SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE CREATION AND FLOOD MYTHS). Later Marduk was considered the god of creation and the chief deity of the Mesopotamian pantheon.

For a further outline of these Sumerian gods and their myths, see

1. my commentary on Genesis 1-11, the Introduction, online at www.freebiblecommentary.org
2. John H. Walton, ANE Thought and the OT, p. 337

The last king of Babylon (i.e., Nabonidus) depreciated Marduk for the worship of the moon goddess. When the Persians attacked the city of Babylon they were supported by the priests and followers of Marduk.

SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF NEO-BABYLON

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