Lexical Summary Gur-baal: Gur-baal Original Word: גּוּר־בַּעַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gur-baal From guwr and Ba'al; dwelling of Baal; Gur- Baal, a place in Arabia -- Gur-baal. see HEBREW guwr see HEBREW Ba'al NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gur and Baal Definition "dwelling of Baal," a place in Arabia NASB Translation Gur-baal (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גּוּרבָּֿ֑֫עַל proper name, of a location (dwelling or Gûr of Baal) 2 Chronicles 26:7 הָעֲרָבִי֯ים הַיּשְׁבִים בְּגוּרבָּֿ֑עַל. Topical Lexicon Biblical Reference2 Chronicles 26:7 – “God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabs living in Gur-baal, and against the Meunites.” Historical Context Gur-baal enters the biblical record in the reign of King Uzziah (Azariah) of Judah, around the mid-eighth century B.C. Uzziah’s early reign was marked by spiritual fidelity: “He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” (2 Chronicles 26:5). The Spirit-inspired Chronicler ties Uzziah’s military victories, including the subduing of Gur-baal, directly to that faithfulness. Thus Gur-baal becomes a historical testimony to the principle that covenant loyalty brings divine aid (Deuteronomy 28:7). Geographical Setting While the precise site is uncertain, the text locates Gur-baal in the desert regions south or southeast of Judah, an area otherwise occupied by Arab tribes and Meunites. Its inclusion alongside Philistia and Edom-related groups in Uzziah’s campaigns suggests a borderland outpost—possibly along caravan routes linking the Red Sea, the Negev, and the Mediterranean trade corridors. The “Arabs living in Gur-baal” (literally, those “dwelling” there) implies a semi-nomadic population that found seasonal settlement around an oasis or defensible stronghold. The Cultic Undertone of the Name The place-name preserves a memory of Baal worship. Yet the only biblical mention records Yahweh’s decisive triumph there. Thus Gur-baal illustrates the recurring pattern in Scripture: locales once associated with idolatry become scenes where the living God asserts His sovereignty (compare 1 Kings 18:21-40 at Mount Carmel). Gur-baal therefore stands as a silent witness to the superiority of the Lord over Baal and every other false deity (Isaiah 42:8). Strategic Importance in Uzziah’s Reforms 1. Military Expansion – Uzziah fortified Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:9) and extended Judah’s influence into the desert frontier, securing trade routes and buffer zones. Conquering Gur-baal helped protect Judah from incursions and opened economic avenues. 2. Economic Flourishing – Subduing Arab territories offered access to pastoral lands and spices. Chronicles later notes Uzziah’s widespread fame (2 Chronicles 26:15), likely fueled by such gains. 3. Religious Testimony – Each victory underscored the Chronicler’s theme: when leaders seek God, national blessing follows. Gur-baal’s defeat therefore carries theological weight beyond military statistics. Intertextual Connections • 2 Chronicles 17:11 – Under Jehoshaphat, “some Philistines brought him tribute… and the Arabs brought him flocks,” showing a precedent for Arabian submission. Archaeological and Historical Insights No definite identification has been established, but several proposals cluster it near: • The eastern edge of the Philistine plain, controlling southern approaches to Philistia. The absence of an excavated site neither diminishes the biblical witness nor the plausibility of a fortified encampment whose name preserved the memory of Baal reverence later eclipsed by the worship of Yahweh. Ministry and Spiritual Application 1. God’s Help Versus Human Power – Uzziah’s engineers devised siege machines (2 Chronicles 26:15), yet the Chronicler first attributes victory to divine aid. Gur-baal reminds believers that technological or strategic prowess must be subordinated to reliance upon God (Psalm 20:7). 2. Purity Over Syncretism – A place bearing Baal’s name fell before a king who sought the Lord. Modern disciples face cultural Gur-baals—ideological strongholds named after contemporary idols. The lesson is to confront them under God’s banner, not by compromise. 3. Finish Well – Uzziah later grew proud and was struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Gur-baal is thus both milestone and warning: early victories do not guarantee lifelong faithfulness; continual humility is essential. Prophetic Echoes Though Gur-baal is not mentioned by the prophets, its narrative aligns with Isaiah’s later proclamation: “The Lord will be a refuge for His people” (Joel 3:16) and foreshadows the eschatological subjugation of all idolatrous systems under Christ’s reign (Revelation 11:15). Summary Gur-baal, briefly noted yet rich in implication, marks a geographical hinge where an Arab stronghold named for a pagan deity fell to a king walking in covenant obedience. The episode highlights God’s readiness to help His people, His supremacy over idols, and the enduring call to persevere in faith. Forms and Transliterations בָּ֖עַל בעל bā‘al bā·‘al BaalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 26:7 HEB: הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים בְּגוּר־ בָּ֖עַל וְהַמְּעוּנִֽים׃ NAS: who lived in Gur-baal, and the Meunites. KJV: that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims. INT: Arabian lived Gur-baal and the Meunites |
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