Lexical Summary Baal Peratsim: "Lord of the Breakthroughs" or "Master of Breakthroughs" Original Word: בַּעַל פְּרָצִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Baal- perazim From ba'al and the plural of perets; possessor of breaches; Baal-Peratsim, a place in Palestine -- Baal- perazim. see HEBREW ba'al see HEBREW perets NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baal and perets Definition "possessor of breaches," a place in Pal. NASB Translation Baal-perazim (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs בַּ֫עַל מְּרָצִים proper name, of a location (possessor of breaches; or Baal of Perasim ?) where David defeated Philistine 2 Samuel 5:20 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 14:11 (twice in verse); site unknown. Topical Lexicon Name and meaning Baal-perazim means “Master (or Lord) of Breakthroughs.” The designation commemorates the sudden, decisive intervention of the LORD who “burst out” against Israel’s enemies like a flooding breach in a dam. Geographical setting The site lay in the Valley of Rephaim, just southwest of Jerusalem. Its proximity to the capital made it a strategic gateway: whoever controlled the valley controlled access to the city. The location also became a tangible reminder to Israel that their security did not rest in topography or fortifications but in the covenant God who could shatter enemy lines at will. Historical backdrop Soon after David was anointed king over all Israel, the Philistines mounted a swift campaign to quash his consolidated rule. They spread out in the Valley of Rephaim (2 Samuel 5:18; 1 Chronicles 14:9), threatening Jerusalem from the south-west. David’s immediate response was to seek the LORD’s direction (2 Samuel 5:19), a deliberate contrast with Saul’s earlier habit of acting independently. The divine answer authorized an offensive advance: “Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.” Biblical narrative “So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there, and he said, ‘Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.’ So he named that place Baal-perazim” (2 Samuel 5:20). The Chronicler records the same victory with a pointed theological note: “Like a bursting flood, God has burst out against my enemies by my hand” (1 Chronicles 14:11). Two emphases stand out: 1. Divine agency: The power belongs to God; David’s hand is merely the instrument. Theological significance 1. Sovereignty and initiative of God. The name Baal-perazim celebrates a God who not only permits breaches in enemy lines but engineers them. His purposes are invincible (Job 42:2). Ministry application • Intercessory expectation: When believers seek the Lord’s counsel and timing, He can still produce sudden breakthroughs in seemingly entrenched situations—personal bondage, community strongholds, missionary advance. Prophetic resonance Isaiah alludes to Baal-perazim when portraying the LORD’s future judgment: “The LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim” (Isaiah 28:21). The past breakthrough becomes a prophetic pattern: God will once again act surprisingly, shattering complacency and vindicating His righteousness. Summary Baal-perazim is more than an ancient battlefield; it embodies the principle that God’s people prevail not by might or numbers but by the LORD who breaks through every obstacle. The name urges every generation to seek, obey, and expect Him to act with the same decisive power today. Forms and Transliterations פְּרָצִֽים׃ פְּרָצִים֮ פרצים פרצים׃ pə·rā·ṣîm pərāṣîm peraTzimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 5:20 HEB: דָוִ֥ד בְּבַֽעַל־ פְּרָצִים֮ וַיַּכֵּ֣ם שָׁ֣ם NAS: came to Baal-perazim and defeated KJV: came to Baalperazim, and David INT: came David to Baal-perazim and defeated there 2 Samuel 5:20 1 Chronicles 14:11 1 Chronicles 14:11 4 Occurrences |
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