Merodach's man, the son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon ( 2 Kings 25:27 ; Jeremiah 52:31 Jeremiah 52:34 ). He seems to have reigned but two years (B.C. 562-560). Influenced probably by Daniel, he showed kindness to Jehoiachin, who had been a prisoner in Babylon for thirty-seven years. He released him, and "spoke kindly to him." He was murdered by Nergal-sharezer=Neriglissar, his brother-in-law, who succeeded him ( Jeremiah 39:3 Jeremiah 39:13 ).