Lexical Summary Baal Hamon: Baal Hamon Original Word: בַּעַל הָמוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Baal-hamon From ba'al and hamown; possessor of a multitude; Baal-Hamon, a place in Palestine -- Baal-hamon. see HEBREW ba'al see HEBREW hamown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baal and hamon Definition "possessor of abundance," a place in Pal. NASB Translation Baal-hamon (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בַּ֫עַל הָמוֺן proper name, of a location (possessor of abundance; or is ׳ב here proper name, of divinity?) Songs 8:11. Topical Lexicon Biblical OccurrenceSong of Songs 8:11 records the single mention of Baal-hamon: “Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-hamon. He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers; each one was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels of silver”. The next verse contrasts the bride’s “own vineyard,” highlighting personal devotion over commercial enterprise. Geographical Considerations Precise location is uncertain. Ancient Jewish tradition placed Baal-hamon near Samaria; others suggest a Galilean site west of the Jordan or a Carmel foothill vineyard favored by Phoenician growers. The name incorporates “Baal,” common in Canaanite toponyms, and suggests a place famed for prolific agriculture—“lord of abundance.” Whatever its exact setting, the region was fertile and well-suited to viticulture, aligning with Solomon’s known interest in horticulture. Historical Background Solomon’s reign saw expansive royal estates (1 Kings 4:10–23). Ecclesiastes 2:4 affirms, “I made great works: I built houses and planted vineyards.” Baal-hamon exemplifies these enterprises. Leasing land to tenant-farmers against a fixed silver return reflects standard Near-Eastern practice and attests Solomon’s administrative reach beyond Jerusalem. Agricultural and Economic Context • Vineyard size: A required revenue of “a thousand shekels of silver” points to a vast tract. Theological and Symbolic Significance 1. Covenant fidelity. Including “Baal” in a place-name exposes Israel’s long struggle against syncretism. Solomon’s vineyard profits stand in tension with the bride’s pure devotion in 8:12, underscoring the need to guard spiritual “vineyards” from idolatrous encroachment. Baal Place Names and Covenant Faithfulness Place-names such as Baal-peor, Baal-hazor, and Baal-hamon remind readers that Israel lived amid pervasive pagan influence. The redemptive storyline moves from scattered “Baals” to singular worship of the LORD, culminating in Zechariah 14:9, “On that day the LORD will be King over all the earth.” Connections to Solomon’s Reign • Administrative acumen: The leasing model reveals Solomon’s centralized governance. Lessons for Ministry Today • Stewardship: Like the keepers of Baal-hamon, believers manage resources ultimately belonging to the King (1 Corinthians 4:2). Thus, Baal-hamon stands as an instructive glimpse of Solomon’s earthly splendor, a symbol of covenant challenges, and a pointer to the greater vineyard of the Kingdom, where fruitfulness is measured in faith and fidelity. Forms and Transliterations הָמ֔וֹן המון hā·mō·wn haMon hāmōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 8:11 HEB: לִשְׁלֹמֹה֙ בְּבַ֣עַל הָמ֔וֹן נָתַ֥ן אֶת־ NAS: a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He entrusted KJV: had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out INT: had Solomon Baal-hamon entrusted the vineyard 1 Occurrence |
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