Marduk

Marduk was the protector god of the city of Babylon. His name appears only once in the Bible.

Marduk, also referred to as Bel (“master”), was the protector god of the capital of the Babylonian Empire. Towards the end of the second millennium BC, he became the most important god in the Babylonian pantheon. Before that time Enlil was the most important god. As the centuries passed, people came to see Marduk as ruler of the whole earth and as king of the gods.
The Marduk cult remained in place into the Hellenistic period.

Marduk’s heroic deeds are described in the Enuma Elish. In this work we are told how Marduk restores order in the world by defeating the goddess Tiamat — who represents the Flood. This makes him king of the gods. This story was read out each year at the Babylonian New Year festival, and Marduk’s kingship was reconfirmed.

Marduk is mentioned in the Bible in Jeremiah 50:2, in connection with the conquest of Babylon. His name crops up again in the names of the Babylonian kings, Merodach Baladan (Isaiah 39:1) and Evilmerodach (2 Kings 25:27-28; Jeremiah 52:31-32}).
The name Mordecai may also derive from Marduk.