Baal @ lord. (1.) The name appropriated to the principal male god of the Phoenicians. It is found in several places in the plural BAALIM Judges:2:11Judges:10:10; kjvKings: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 ( 1Samuel:7:4), and was afterwards the religion of the ten tribes in the time of Ahab (kjvKings:16:31-33; 18:19,22). It prevailed also for a time in the kingdom of Judah ( 2Kings:8:27; comp. 11:18; 16:3; 2Chronicals: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 (kjvKings:18:19), and of various classes ( 2Kings:10:19). Their mode of offering sacrifices is described in kjvKings: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 ( 1Chronicles:8:301Chronicles:9:36). (3.) The name of a place inhabited by the Simeonites, the same probably as Baal-ath-beer ( 1Chronicles:4:33; Joshua:19:8).
Baal-berith @ covenant lord, the name of the god worshipped in Shechem after the death of Gideon Judges:8:33Judges:9:4). In 9:46 he is called simply "the god Berith." The name denotes the god of the covenant into which the Israelites entered with the Canaanites, contrary to the command of Jehovah Exodus:34:12), when they began to fall away to the worship of idols.
Baal-gad @ lord of fortune, or troop of Baal, a Canaanite city in the valley of Lebanon at the foot of Hermon, hence called Baal-hermon (Judge. 3:3; 1Chronicles:5:23), near the source of the Jordan Joshua:13:5Joshua:11:17Joshua:12:7 ). It was the most northern point to which Joshua's conquests extended. It probably derived its name from the worship of Baal. Its modern representative is Banias. Some have supposed it to be the same as Baalbec.
Baal-hamon @ place of a multitude, a place where Solomon had an extensive vineyard (Cant. 8:11). It has been supposed to be identical with Baal-gad, and also with Hammon in the tribe of Asher Joshua:19:28). Others identify it with Belamon, in Central Palestine, near Dothaim.
Baal-hanan @ lord of grace. (1.) A king of Edom, son of Achbor Genesis:36:38-39; 1Chronicles:1:49-50). (2.) An overseer of "the olive trees and sycomore trees in the low plains" (the Shephelah) under David ( 1Chronicles:27:28).
Baal-hazor @ having a courtyard, or Baal's village, the place on the borders of Ephraim and Benjamin where Absalom held the feast of sheep-shearing when Amnon was assassinated ( 2Samuel:13:23). Probably it is the same with Hazor Nehemiah:11:33), now Tell' Asur, 5 miles north-east of Bethel.
Baal-hermon @ lord of Hermon. (1.) A city near Mount Hermon inhabited by the Ephraimites ( 1Chronicles:5:23). Probably identical with Baal-gad Joshua:11:17). (2.) A mountain east of Lebanon Judges:3:3). Probably it may be the same as Mount Hermon, or one of its three peaks.
Baal-meon @ lord of dwelling, a town of Reuben Numbers:32:38), called also Beth-meon Jeremiah:48:23) and Beth-baal-meon Joshua:13:17). It is supposed to have been the birth-place of Elisha. It is identified with the modern M'ain, about 3 miles south-east of Heshbon.
Baal-perazim @ Baal having rents, bursts, or destructions, the scene of a victory gained by David over the Philistines ( 2Samuel:5:20; 1Chronicles:14:11). Called Mount Perazim Isaiah:28:21). It was near the valley of Rephaim, west of Jerusalem. Identified with the modern Jebel Aly.
Baal-shalisha @ lord of Shalisha, a place from which a man came with provisions for Elisha, apparently not far from Gilgal ( 2Kings:4:42). It has been identified with Sirisia, 13 miles north of Lydda.
Baal-tamar @ lord of palm trees, a place in the tribe of Benjamin near Gibeah of Saul Judges:20:33). It was one of the sanctuaries or groves of Baal. Probably the palm tree of Deborah Judges:4:5) is alluded to in the name.
Baal-zebub @ fly-lord, the god of the Philistines at Ekron ( 2Kings:1:2-3, 16). This name was given to the god because he was supposed to be able to avert the plague of flies which in that region was to be feared. He was consulted by Ahaziah as to his recovery.
Baal-zephon @ Baal of the north, an Egyptian town on the shores of the Gulf of Suez Exodus:14:2; Numbers:33:7), over against which the children of Israel encamped before they crossed the Red Sea. It is probably to be identified with the modern Jebel Deraj or Kulalah, on the western shore of the Gulf of Suez. Baal-zapuna of the Egyptians was a place of worship.
Baalah @ mistress; city. (1.) A city in the south of Judah Joshua:15:29), elsewhere called Balah Joshua:19:3) and Bilhah ( 1Chronicles:4:29). Now Khurbet Zebalah. (2.) A city on the northern border of the tribe of Judah Joshua:15:10), called also Kirjath-jearim, q.v. (15:9; 1Chronicles:13:6), now Kuriet-el-Enab, or as some think, 'Erma. (3.) A mountain on the north-western boundary of Judah and Dan Joshua:15:11).
Baalath @ a town of the tribe of Dan Joshua:19:44). It was fortified by Solomon (kjvKings:9:18; 2Chronicals:8:6). Some have identified it with Bel'ain, in Wady Deir Balut.
Baalath-beer @ Baalah of the well, Joshua:19:8, probably the same as Baal, mentioned in 1Chronicles:4:33, a city of Simeon.
Baalbec @ called by the Greeks Heliopolis i.e., "the city of the sun", because of its famous Temple of the Sun, has by some been supposed to be Solomon's "house of the forest of Lebanon" (kjvKings:7:2; 10:17; 2Chronicals:9:16); by others it is identified with Baal-gad (q.v.). It was a city of Coele-Syria, on the lowest declivity of Anti-Libanus, about 42 miles north-west of Damascus. It was one of the most splendid of Syrian cities, existing from a remote antiquity. After sustaining several sieges under the Moslems and others, it was finally destroyed by an earthquake in 1759. Its ruins are of great extent.
Baale of Judah @ lords of Judah, a city in the tribe of Judah from which David brought the ark into Jerusalem ( 2Samuel:6:2). Elsewhere ( 1Chronicles:13:6) called Kirjath-jearim. (See BAALAH.)
Baali @ 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."
Baalis @ king of the Ammonites at the time of the Babylonian captivity Jeremiah:40:14). He hired Ishmael to slay Gedaliah who had been appointed governor over the cities of Judah.
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