Marduk

SPECIAL TOPIC: MARDUK

The MT has Merudack (BDB 597). It is another way to transliterate the consonants for
Marduk. The Sumerian pantheon is fluid. Originally the title “lord” was 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. For a further outline of these Sumerian gods and their myths, see my commentary
on Genesis 1-11, the introduction, online at www.freebiblecommentary.org.

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.