Lexical Summary Eshbaal: Eshbaal Original Word: אַשְׁבַּעַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eshbaal From 'iysh and Ba'al; man of Baal; Eshbaal (or Ishbosheth), a son of Saul -- Eshbaal. see HEBREW 'iysh see HEBREW Ba'al NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ish and Baal Definition "man of Baal," a son of Saul NASB Translation Eshbaal (2). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Ashbaal (Esh-baal) appears twice, both in parallel Benjamite genealogies (1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39). In each list he is named among the four sons of King Saul: “Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.” Genealogical Context The Chronicler’s records trace the lineage of Benjamin from Abraham through Saul to the post-exilic community. Including Ashbaal secures the integrity of Saul’s house within Israel’s covenant account and allows later generations to locate themselves inside that redemptive lineage. The duplication in chapters 8 and 9—one pre-exilic, one post-exilic—shows that Saul’s line, though dethroned, was not erased. Esh-baal and Ish-bosheth 2 Samuel refers to Saul’s same son as “Ish-bosheth” (2 Samuel 2:8). Chronicles retains the earlier form containing “baal.” “Bosheth” (“shame”) was a later editorial substitution reflecting Israel’s growing revulsion toward Canaanite idolatry. This textual shift illustrates how Scripture preserves historical accuracy even while highlighting theological development: God’s people increasingly distanced themselves from syncretism, yet the Chronicler faithfully recorded the original name. Historical Background Ashbaal lived during the turbulent transition from Saul’s dynasty to David’s. Although nothing is narrated of him beyond his death in battle with his brothers (1 Samuel 31:2, where he is called “Abinadab”; many scholars link the names, others see separate sons), his presence marks Saul’s continued military resistance to Philistine aggression and underscores the tragic collapse of a monarchy that had once promised security (1 Samuel 14:47–52). Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Covenant memory: By preserving even a controversial name, Scripture demonstrates the Lord’s commitment to truth over image management, calling believers to transparent testimony. Lessons for Contemporary Believers • Name your allegiance carefully; labels can witness for or against God long after you are gone. Selected Scripture “Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.” (1 Chronicles 8:33; cf. 9:39) Ashbaal’s brief appearance, nestled inside these verses, stands as a quiet witness to the reliability of the biblical record and to the Lord’s unbroken narrative of redemption. Forms and Transliterations אֶשְׁבָּֽעַל׃ אשבעל׃ ’eš·bā·‘al ’ešbā‘al eshBaalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 8:33 HEB: אֲבִֽינָדָ֖ב וְאֶת־ אֶשְׁבָּֽעַל׃ NAS: Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal. KJV: and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. INT: Malchi-shua Abinadab and Eshbaal 1 Chronicles 9:39 2 Occurrences |
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