Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Baal is a significant figure in the ancient Near Eastern religious landscape, often mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of idolatry and apostasy. The name "Baal" means "lord" or "master" and was used to refer to various local deities worshiped by the Canaanites and other neighboring peoples. The worship of Baal was a persistent challenge for the Israelites, as it often led them away from the worship of Yahweh, the one true God. Historical and Cultural Context: Baal was primarily a fertility god, associated with rain, storms, and agricultural productivity. As a central figure in the Canaanite pantheon, Baal was believed to control the weather and ensure the fertility of the land, which was crucial for agrarian societies. The worship of Baal included rituals and ceremonies intended to appease the deity and secure his favor for bountiful harvests. Biblical References and Significance: The Bible frequently references Baal in the context of Israel's struggle with idolatry. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations, yet they often fell into the worship of Baal, leading to divine judgment. 1. Judges 2:11-13 : "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed after other gods, the gods of the peoples around them, and they bowed down to them. They provoked the LORD to anger, for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths." 2. 1 Kings 18:21 : The prophet Elijah famously confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, challenging the Israelites to choose between Yahweh and Baal. "Elijah approached all the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.' But the people did not answer a word." 3. 2 Kings 10:18-28 : Jehu's eradication of Baal worship in Israel is a significant event, demonstrating the need for purging idolatry from the nation. Jehu gathered all the worshipers of Baal and executed them, destroying the temple of Baal and turning it into a latrine. Theological Implications: The worship of Baal represents a direct challenge to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It symbolizes the temptation to rely on human-devised systems and deities rather than trusting in the providence and sovereignty of Yahweh. The biblical narrative consistently portrays Baal worship as a grave sin, leading to spiritual and moral decay. Lessons for Believers: The recurring theme of Baal worship in the Bible serves as a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of syncretism. It underscores the need for discernment and commitment to the truth of God's Word, resisting the allure of cultural and spiritual compromises. Conclusion: While the Bible does not provide a detailed account of Baal's mythology, the emphasis is on the spiritual conflict between the worship of Yahweh and the idolatrous practices associated with Baal. This conflict highlights the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptations of the world. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary BaalSmith's Bible Dictionary Baal(lord).
ATS Bible Dictionary BaalLord, 1. In the Old Testament denotes an idol of the Phoenicians, and particularly of the Tyrians, whose worship was also introduced with great solemnities among the Hebrews, and especially at Samaria, along with that of Astarte, Jud 6:25-32 2 Kings 10:18,28. See ASHTORETH, plural ASH-TAROTH. The plural, Baalim, signifies images or statues of Baal, Jud 2:11 10:10. Of the extent to which the worship of this idol was domesticated among the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, we have an evidence in the proper names of persons; as, among the former, Ethbaal, Jerubbaal; and among the latter, Hannibal, Asdrubal, etc. Among the Babylonians, the same idol was worshipped under the name of BEL, which is only another form of the word Baal, Isaiah 46:1 Jeremiah 50:2 51:44. The worship of Baal was established in Babylon in the famous tower of Babel, the uppermost room of which served at the same time as an observatory, and as the repository of a collection of astronomical observations. That in the astronomical, or rather, astrological mythology of the East, we are to look for the origin of this worship in the adoration of the heavenly bodies, is conceded by all critics. The more common opinion has been, that Baal, or Bel, is the sun; and that, under this name, this luminary received divine honors. But the Greek and Roman writers give to the Babylonian Bel the name of Jupiter Belus, meaning the planet Jupiter, which was regarded, along with the planet Venus, as the guardian and giver of all good fortune; and formed, with Venus, the most fortunate of all constellations, under which alone fortunate sovereigns could be born. This planet, therefore, many suppose to have been the object of worship under the name of Baal, as also the planet Venus under that of Astarte. Not that the sun was not an object of idolatrous worship among these nations, but in that case he is represented under his own name; as 2 Kings 23:11. The temples and altars of Ball were generally on eminences. Manasseh placed in the two courts of the temple at Jerusalem altars to all the host of heaven, and in particular to Astarte, 2 Kings 21:5,7. Jeremiah threatens the Jews who had sacrificed to Baal on the house-top, Jeremiah 32:29; and Josiah destroyed the altars which Ahaz had erected on the terrace of his palace, 2 Kings 23:12. Human victims were offered to Baal, as they were also to the sun. Jeremiah reproaches the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem with "building the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt-offerings unto Baal," Jeremiah 19:5; an expression which appears to be decisive as to the actual slaying by fire of the unhappy victims to Baal. See MOLOCH. The children of Israel were prone to serve Baal. See Numbers 25:3 Jud 2:14 3:7. Under Samuel they put away their idols, 1 Samuel 7:4. This continued under David and Solomon; but under Ahab, whose wife Jezebel was a daughter of the Zidonian king Ethbaal, the worship of Baal was restored with great pomp, 1 Kings 16:31. Joined with other words, Baal signifies also other false gods. Baal-Berith, or the "lord of the covenant," was a god of the Shechemites, Jud 8:33 9:4. Baal-Peor, or "the lord of Peor," was a filthy idol of the Moabites, Numbers 25:3, 5 Hosea 9:10. Baal-Zebub, "lord of flies," was a god of the Philistines at Ekron. See BEELZEBUB. 2. The word BAAL also occurs in many compound names of places, not always having any reference to the idol. Easton's Bible Dictionary Lord. (1.) The name appropriated to the principal male god of the Phoenicians. It is found in several places in the plural BAALIM (Judges 2:11; 10:10; 1 Kings 18:18; Jeremiah 2:23; Hosea 2:17). Baal is identified with Molech (Jeremiah 19:5). It was known to the Israelites as Baal-peor (Numbers 25:3; Deuteronomy 4:3), was worshipped till the time of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:4), and was afterwards the religion of the ten tribes in the time of Ahab (1 Kings 16:31-33; 18:19, 22). It prevailed also for a time in the kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 8:27; Comp. 11:18; 16:3; 2 Chronicles 28:2), till finally put an end to by the severe discipline of the Captivity (Zephaniah 1:4-6). The priests of Baal were in great numbers (1 Kings 18:19), and of various classes (2 Kings 10:19). Their mode of offering sacrifices is described in 1 Kings 18:25-29. The sun-god, under the general title of Baal, or "lord," was the chief object of worship of the Canaanites. Each locality had its special Baal, and the various local Baals were summed up under the name of Baalim, or "lords." Each Baal had a wife, who was a colourless reflection of himself. (2.) A Benjamite, son of Jehiel, the progenitor of the Gibeonites (1 Chronicles 8:30; 9:36). (3.) The name of a place inhabited by the Simeonites, the same probably as Baal-ath-beer (1 Chronicles 4:33; Joshua 19:8). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations.2. (n.) The whole class of divinities to whom the name Baal was applied. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BAAL (1)ba'-al: (ba`al; or Baal): The Babylonian Belu or Bel, "Lord," was the title of the supreme god among the Canaanites. BAAL (2) ba'-al ba`al, ("lord," "master," "possessor"): BAAL (3) ba`al; Baal 1 Chronicles 4:33. See BAALATH-BEER. Greek 896. Baal -- Baal, a Canaanite deity ... 895, 896. Baal. 897 . Baal, a Canaanite deity. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Baal Phonetic Spelling ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/896.htm - 6k 954. Beelzeboul -- Beelzebul, a name of Satan Strong's Hebrew 1187. Baal Peor -- "Baal of Peor," a Moabite godBaal Peor. 1186, 1187. Baal Peor. 1188 . "Baal of Peor," a Moabite god. Transliteration: Baal Peor Phonetic Spelling: (bah'-al ... /hebrew/1187.htm - 6k 1179. Baal Chermon -- "Baal of Hermon," the center of Baal worship ... 1010. Beth Baal Meon -- "house of Baal of (the) habitation," a ... 1190. Baal Shalishah -- "Baal of Shalishah," a place in Palestine 1189. Baal Tsephon -- "Baal of winter," a place in Egypt 7154. Qiryath Baal -- "city of Baal," another name for Kiriath ... 1485. Gur-baal -- "dwelling of Baal," a place in Arabia 1170. Baal Berith -- "Baal of (the) covenant," a Shechemite god 1171. Baal Gad -- "Baal of fortune," a place near Mt. Hermon 4807. Merib Baal -- perhaps "Baal is advocate," a son of Jonathan Library Ninth Sunday after Trinity. How Long Halt Ye Between Two Opinions? ... The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers Elijah the Great Heart of Israel. Impure Zeal The Prophet of Fire The Record of Two Kings Carmel The Story of Elijah, the Prophet "Then the Fire of the Lord Fell. " 1 Kings xviii. 38 Elijah the Tishbite Thesaurus Bamoth-baal (2 Occurrences)Bamoth-baal. Bamothbaal, Bamoth-baal. Bamoth-ba'al . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAMOTH; BAMOTH-BAAL. ... /b/bamoth-baal.htm - 8k Baal (94 Occurrences) Merib-baal (2 Occurrences) Baal-peor (6 Occurrences) Baal-gad (3 Occurrences) Baal-perazim (2 Occurrences) Baal-hermon (2 Occurrences) Baal-zebul (6 Occurrences) Gur-baal (1 Occurrence) Baal-meon (3 Occurrences) Resources What was Baal Peor in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Baal? | GotQuestions.org Why was the worship of Baal and Asherah a constant struggle for the Israelites? | GotQuestions.org Baal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Baal (94 Occurrences)Romans 11:4 Genesis 36:38 Genesis 36:39 Exodus 14:2 Exodus 14:9 Numbers 22:41 Numbers 25:3 Numbers 25:5 Numbers 32:38 Numbers 33:7 Deuteronomy 4:3 Joshua 11:17 Joshua 12:7 Joshua 13:5 Joshua 13:17 Joshua 15:60 Joshua 18:14 Judges 2:13 Judges 3:3 Judges 6:25 Judges 6:28 Judges 6:30 Judges 6:31 Judges 6:32 Judges 8:33 Judges 9:4 Judges 20:33 1 Samuel 7:4 2 Samuel 5:20 2 Samuel 6:2 2 Samuel 13:23 1 Kings 16:31 1 Kings 16:32 1 Kings 18:19 1 Kings 18:21 1 Kings 18:22 1 Kings 18:25 1 Kings 18:26 1 Kings 18:40 1 Kings 19:18 1 Kings 22:53 2 Kings 1:2 2 Kings 1:3 2 Kings 1:6 2 Kings 1:16 2 Kings 3:2 2 Kings 4:42 2 Kings 10:18 2 Kings 10:19 2 Kings 10:20 2 Kings 10:21 2 Kings 10:22 2 Kings 10:23 2 Kings 10:25 2 Kings 10:26 2 Kings 10:27 2 Kings 10:28 2 Kings 11:18 2 Kings 17:16 2 Kings 21:3 2 Kings 23:4 2 Kings 23:5 1 Chronicles 1:49 1 Chronicles 1:50 1 Chronicles 4:33 1 Chronicles 5:5 1 Chronicles 5:8 1 Chronicles 5:23 1 Chronicles 8:30 1 Chronicles 8:34 1 Chronicles 9:36 1 Chronicles 9:40 1 Chronicles 14:11 1 Chronicles 27:28 2 Chronicles 23:17 2 Chronicles 26:7 Psalms 106:28 Song of Songs 8:11 Jeremiah 2:8 Jeremiah 3:24 Jeremiah 7:9 Jeremiah 11:13 Jeremiah 11:17 Jeremiah 12:16 Jeremiah 19:5 Jeremiah 23:13 Jeremiah 23:27 Jeremiah 32:29 Jeremiah 32:35 Ezekiel 25:9 Hosea 2:8 Hosea 9:10 Hosea 13:1 Zephaniah 1:4 Subtopics Baal: A City in the Tribe of Simeon Baal: A City in the Tribe of Simeon: Called Baalath-Beer Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun by the Jews Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun by the Kingdom of Israel Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: All Worshipers of, Destroyed by Jehu Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Altars of, Destroyed by Gideon Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Destroyed by Jehoiada Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Destroyed by Josiah Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Jeremiah Expostulates Against the Worship of Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Prophets of, Slain by Elijah Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Under Ahab Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Under Jehoram Related Terms Kir'iath-ba'al (2 Occurrences) Beth-ba'al-me'on (1 Occurrence) Ba'al-pera'zim (2 Occurrences) |