Definition and Meaning:
The term "Baali" is derived from the Hebrew word "בַּעֲלִי" (Ba'ali), which means "my master" or "my lord." It is a term that appears in the context of ancient Israelite religion and culture, particularly in relation to the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity. The name Baali is significant in understanding the religious reforms and the relationship between God and Israel as depicted in the Old Testament.

Biblical References:
The term "Baali" is specifically mentioned in the book of Hosea. In Hosea 2:16 , the prophet Hosea conveys God's message to Israel: "In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call Me 'my husband,' and no longer call Me 'my master' (Baali)." This verse highlights a shift in the relationship between God and His people, moving from a formal, master-servant dynamic to a more intimate, covenantal relationship akin to that of a husband and wife.

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near East, Baal was a prominent deity worshiped by various cultures, including the Canaanites. Baal was often associated with fertility, storms, and agriculture. The Israelites, living among these cultures, were frequently tempted to adopt the worship of Baal, which led to syncretism and idolatry. The use of the term "Baali" reflects this cultural influence and the struggle within Israel to maintain exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Theological Significance:
The use of "Baali" in Hosea underscores the tension between idolatry and true worship. God's declaration that Israel will no longer call Him "Baali" signifies a rejection of idolatrous practices and a return to a pure, devoted relationship with Yahweh. This change in terminology is symbolic of the transformation God desires in His people—a move from seeing Him as a distant master to embracing Him as a loving and faithful husband.

Prophetic and Redemptive Themes:
Hosea's message is deeply prophetic, illustrating God's redemptive plan for Israel despite their unfaithfulness. The shift from "Baali" to "my husband" is part of a broader theme in Hosea, where God promises to restore and renew His covenant with Israel. This restoration is not merely a return to former ways but an elevation to a deeper, more personal relationship with God.

Application for Believers:
For contemporary believers, the message of Baali serves as a reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of maintaining a personal and intimate relationship with God. It challenges Christians to examine their own lives for anything that might take the place of God and to seek a relationship with Him that is characterized by love, faithfulness, and devotion.Baali

my idol; lord over me

Baali

(Hosea 2:16) [BAAL]

My lord, a title the prophet (Hosea 2:16) reproaches the Jewish church for applying to Jehovah, instead of the more endearing title Ishi, meaning "my husband." BAALI

ba'-a-li ba`ali, ("my master"): Baal, a common name for all heathen gods, had in common practice been used also of Yahweh. Hosea (Hosea 2:16, 17) demands that Yahweh be no longer called Ba`ali ("my Baal" = "my lord") but 'Ishi ("my husband"), and we find that later the Israelites abandoned the use of Ba`al for Yahweh.

1180. Bali -- "my Baal," a symbolic name for Yah
... "my Baal," a symbolic name for Yah. Transliteration: Bali Phonetic Spelling:
(bah-al-ee') Short Definition: Baali. Word Origin from baal with pronoun suff. ... Baali ...
/hebrew/1180.htm - 6k

Entire Sanctification in Prophecy.
... employs the following language, viz: "And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord,
that thou shalt call Me Ishi, and shalt call Me no more Baali," and again in ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter v entire sanctification in.htm

The Marriage of the Lamb.
... Isa.54:5. Also Hosea: "And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt
call me Ishi," my husband; "and shalt call me no more Baali," my Lord. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the marriage of the lamb.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... of the Lord, is thus addressed,""And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that
thou shalt call me Ishi (my husband), and shalt call me no more Baali. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

The Welcome visitor
... accomplished your redemption. Your Master. Thou shalt call him no more Baali,
but Ishi shall his name be called. He is only Master ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/the welcome visitor.htm

"Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"
... And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call Me Ishi ["My husband,"
margin]; and shalt call Me no more Baali ["My lord," margin]. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 24 destroyed for lack.htm

The Honored Servant
... He is most graciously and wondrously our Lord; but yet we call him no more "Baali,"
that is, "my Lord," but we call him "Ishi," that is, "my Man," "my Husband ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the honored servant.htm

The Seventh vision "In Heaven"
... "It shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi (ie,
my husband.) And shalt no more call me Baali (ie, my lord)... ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the seventh vision in heaven.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Baali (1 Occurrence)
...BAALI. ba'-a-li ba`ali, ("my master"): Baal, a common name for all heathen gods,
had in common practice been used also of Yahweh. ...Baali (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/baali.htm - 7k

Ishi (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary My husband, a symbolical name used in Hosea 2:16
(see BAALI.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ISHI (1). ...
/i/ishi.htm - 9k

Baalim (18 Occurrences)

/b/baalim.htm - 12k

Baalzephon (3 Occurrences)
... Goodwin (see Brugsch, Hist. Egt., II, 363) found the name Baali-Zapuna as that
of a god mentioned in an Egyptian papyrus in the British Museum. ...
/b/baalzephon.htm - 8k

Ba'al-her'mon (2 Occurrences)
Ba'al-her'mon. Baal-hermon, Ba'al-her'mon. Baali . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Baal-hermon, Ba'al-her'mon. Baali . Reference Bible.
/b/ba'al-her'mon.htm - 7k

Baal-zephon (3 Occurrences)
... Goodwin (see Brugsch, Hist. Egt., II, 363) found the name Baali-Zapuna as that
of a god mentioned in an Egyptian papyrus in the British Museum. ...
/b/baal-zephon.htm - 8k

Baal (94 Occurrences)
... Hosea 2:16 declares that henceforth the God of Israel should no longer be called
Baali, "my Baal," and personal names like Esh-baal (1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 ...
/b/baal.htm - 53k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus