Merodach-baladan was the king of Babylon who sent envoys with letters and a gift to Hezekiah, king of Judah, after hearing of Hezekiah's illness and recovery (2 Kings 20:12;Isaiah 39:1). Hezekiah welcomed the envoys and showed them all his treasures, including silver, gold, spices, and precious oils, as well as his armory and everything in his storehouses. The prophet Isaiah then came to Hezekiah and prophesied that a time would come when all these treasures and even some of Hezekiah's descendants would be carried off to Babylon (2 Kings 20:13-18;Isaiah 39:2-7). This event foreshadowed the future Babylonian conquest of Judah.
Merodach-baladan
BaladanEnglishA king of Babylon living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.20.12.