Merodach

Merodach is a Babylonian deity named in Jeremiah's oracle against Babylon, paired with Bel as one of the gods whose humiliation accompanies the city's fall.

Idol of Babylon

The herald-cry against Babylon couples Merodach with Bel and with the city's images and idols: "Declare⁺ among the nations and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and do not conceal: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is put to shame, Merodach is dismayed; her images are put to shame, her idols are dismayed" (Jer 50:2). The verse treats Merodach as one of the chief objects of Babylonian devotion. Its capture and shaming are announced as the public sign that Babylon itself has been taken; the idol's dismay stands for the dismay of the whole city.