Merodach-baladan Marodach Baladan
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Isa 39:1; 2 Kings 20:12) — son of Baladan, king of Babylon, who sent envoys to King Hezekiah to congratulate him on his recovery, and at the same time to learn about the miracle of the sun’s shadow going back, but chiefly to conclude an alliance with him against Assyria. After a reign of 12 years Merodach was deposed by Sargon, as can be seen from Assyrian monuments. Having become king again, he reigned a few months and finally lost his throne during the invasion of Sennacherib.