Lexical Summary Baal Chanan: Baal-Hanan Original Word: בַּעַל חָנָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Baal-hanan From ba'al and chanan; possessor of grace; Baal-Chanan, the name of an Edomite, also of an Israelite -- Baal-hanan. see HEBREW ba'al see HEBREW chanan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Baal and chanan Definition "Baal is gracious," a king of Edom, also an Isr. NASB Translation Baal-hanan (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs בַּ֫עַל חָנָן proper name, masculine (Baal is gracious, compare Phoenician חנבעל & (in Assyrian) Baal—anunu) 1 king of Edom Genesis 36:38,39; 1 Chronicles 1:49,50. 2 a Gederite 1 Chronicles 27:28. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrences1 Chronicles 1:49; 1 Chronicles 1:50 These five references present two distinct men who share the same name but serve in very different settings: an early king of Edom and an official in the united monarchy under David. Historical Setting in Edom The record in Genesis 36 and repeated in 1 Chronicles 1 lists eight successive kings who ruled “before any king reigned over the Israelites” (Genesis 36:31). Baal-hanan son of Achbor appears seventh in that line. His short notice sits at an important juncture in redemptive history: • It confirms the fulfillment of the oracle given to Rebekah—“two nations are in your womb” (Genesis 25:23)—by documenting an organized Edomite monarchy long before Israel’s own kingship. Baal-hanan Son of Achbor: Edomite King “ When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place.” (Genesis 36:38) “ When Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadad reigned in his place…” (Genesis 36:39) Nothing is said of his exploits, length of rule, or demise, yet even the scant record carries significance: 1. A Testimony to Divine Accuracy: Moses wrote of individuals outside the covenant line with the same precision he used for the patriarchs, underscoring the reliability of Scripture in matters of history. Baal-hanan the Gederite: Administrator in David’s Court “ Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah; Joash was in charge of the stores of oil.” (1 Chronicles 27:28) This Baal-hanan served in the twelfth division of David’s administrative roster. Several points emerge: • Specialized Stewardship: Though overshadowed by military and royal names, his task safeguarded a strategic supply of oil and food—commodities vital for worship (Leviticus 2:1-2; Exodus 27:20) and national economy. Theological and Practical Insights 1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations: From Edom’s early monarchs to Israel’s organized civil service, God directs the rise and fall of leaders (Daniel 2:21). Baal-hanan’s appearance in both camps illustrates that history unfolds under a single, sovereign hand. Relationship to the Larger Biblical Narrative • Edom’s monarchy foreshadows the tensions between Jacob’s and Esau’s descendants that resurface throughout Scripture (Numbers 20:14-21; Obadiah 1). Lessons for Today • Historical lists are not barren; they invite reflection on God’s providence in secular and sacred affairs. Forms and Transliterations חָנָ֔ן חָנָ֖ן חָנָ֣ן חנן chaNan ḥā·nān ḥānānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 36:38 HEB: תַּחְתָּ֔יו בַּ֥עַל חָנָ֖ן בֶּן־ עַכְבּֽוֹר׃ NAS: died, and Baal-hanan the son KJV: died, and Baalhanan the son INT: became his place and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor Genesis 36:39 1 Chronicles 1:49 1 Chronicles 1:50 1 Chronicles 27:28 5 Occurrences |
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