Lexical Summary Baal Gad: Baal Gad Original Word: בַּעַל גָּד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Baal-gad From Ba'al and gad; Baal of Fortune; Baal-Gad, a place in Syria -- Baal-gad. see HEBREW Ba'al see HEBREW gad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Baal and gad Definition "Baal of fortune," a place near Mt. Hermon NASB Translation Baal-gad (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs בַּ֫עַל גַּד proper name, of a location Joshua 11:17; Joshua 12:7; Joshua 13:5 (D), where Baal was worshipped as Gad, god of fortune, a city in the בִּקְעָה of Lebanon, under Mt. Hermon; either modern Bâniâs, Greek Paneas, NT Caesarea Philippi, where a grotto of Pan took the place of the ancient worship of Gad, RobBR iii. 410 TristrTpg 271; or „âsbêyâ BdPal 297 Di; possibly = בעל חרמון compare Thes RobBR iii. 409. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Baal Gad designates a Canaanite sanctuary-town “in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon” (Joshua 11:17). The expression “valley of Lebanon” points to the broad depression running north–south between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges. Its association with Hermon fixes the site near the mountain’s southwestern base where several perennial springs combine to form the upper Jordan. Suggested identifications include modern Banias (Caesarea Philippi), Haspin, and even Baalbek, but none is certain. What is clear is that Baal Gad lay at the northernmost edge of territory subdued under Joshua, marking a strategic gateway between Canaan and the Syrian heartland. Biblical Occurrences 1. Joshua 11:17 records that Joshua “captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to the sword. Joshua’s conquest extended from Mount Halak, which ascends to Seir, as far as Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon.” Historical Context The compound name combines the Northwest Semitic title “Baal” with “Gad,” a deity of fortune. The site was therefore a center of syncretistic worship, celebrating a local manifestation of Baal as the granter of prosperity and destiny. Occupying a fertile, well-watered plain, the shrine controlled caravan routes linking Phoenicia, Bashan, and the Damascus basin. Its mention in Joshua underscores the breadth of the conquest and the intentional displacement of entrenched pagan cults by the covenant people. Yet its reappearance in the still-unpossessed lands of Joshua 13:5 hints that Israel’s obedience remained incomplete and would demand continued vigilance against idolatry (compare Judges 3:1–4). Theological Significance 1. Covenant Fulfillment: Baal Gad represents the northern limit of the land promised to Abraham’s seed (Genesis 15:18). By reaching this point, Joshua visibly demonstrated the Lord’s faithfulness. Lessons for Ministry Today • Idolatry often masquerades as the pursuit of “good fortune.” Modern disciples must discern and renounce any allegiance that rivals the exclusive lordship of God (Psalm 16:4; Matthew 6:24). Archaeological and Scholarly Perspectives Explorations around Banias have uncovered Greco-Roman era temples to Pan, indicating the region’s enduring reputation as a cultic center. Hellenistic syncretism later layered additional deities onto the earlier Baal traditions. The lack of unanimous identification cautions against dogmatism but underscores the site’s continuous religious significance. Each proposed location sits at an important crossroads, matching the biblical portrayal of Baal Gad as both a commercial hub and a spiritual battleground. Conclusion Though mentioned only three times, Baal Gad stands as a theological milestone. It bookmarks the reach of Joshua’s sword, exposes the persistent allure of fortune-seeking idolatry, and invites every generation to complete the conquest of the heart, establishing the undisputed reign of the Lord in all territories He entrusts to His people. Forms and Transliterations גָּ֔ד גָּד֙ גד gad gāḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 11:17 HEB: וְעַד־ בַּ֤עַל גָּד֙ בְּבִקְעַ֣ת הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן NAS: even as far as Baal-gad in the valley KJV: to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley INT: Seir far Baal-gad the valley of Lebanon Joshua 12:7 Joshua 13:5 |
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