Nebuchadnezzar II (c 634 – 562 BCE) is king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, who reigns c. 605 BC – 562 BCE.

According to the Bible, he conquered Judah and Jerusalem, and sent the Jews into exile.

He is credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and also known for the destruction of the First Temple.

He is featured in the Book of Daniel and is also mentioned in several other books of the Bible.

The Akkadian name, Nabû-kudurri-uṣur, means "Oh god Nabu, preserve/defend my firstborn son".

Nabu is the Babylonian deity of wisdom, and son of the god Marduk.

In an inscription, Nebuchadnezzar styles himself as Nabu's "beloved" and "favorite".

His name has previously been mistakenly interpreted as "O Nabu, defend my kudurru", in which sense a kudurru is an inscribed stone deed of property.

However, when contained in a ruler's title, kudurru approximates to "firstborn son" or "oldest son".