BAAL to BAAL-HANAN
Contents
BAAL
lord.
(1.) The name appropriated to the principal male god of the Phoenicians. It is found in several places in the plural BAALIM (Judg. 2:11; 10:10; 1 Kings 18:18; Jer. 2:23; Hos. 2:17). Baal is identified with Molech (Jer. 19:5).
It was known to the Israelites as Baal-peor (Num. 25:3; Deut. 4:3), was worshipped till the time of Samuel (1 Sam 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. 2 Ki 11:18; 16:3; 2 Chr. 28:2), till finally put an end to by the severe discipline of the Captivity (Zeph. 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 Chr. 8:30; 9:36).
(3.) The name of a place inhabited by the Simeonites, the same probably as Baal-ath-beer (1 Chr. 4:33; Josh. 19:8).
1. An idol of the Phoenicians, god of the sun
The Israelites wickedly worshiped in the time of the judges Jud 2:10-23; 1Sa 7:3, 4
By the kingdom of Israel 2Ki 17:16; Jer 23:13; Ho 1:1; 2:1 all; Ho 13:1
Under Ahab 1Ki 16:31-33; 18:18; 19:18
Under Jehoram 2Ki 3:2
By the Jews 2Ki 21:3; 2Ch 22:2-4; 24:7; 28:2; 33:3
Jeremiah expostulates against the worship of Jer 2:8, 23; 7:9
Altars of, destroyed by Gideon Jud 6:25-32
Destroyed by Jehoiada 2Ki 11:18
Destroyed by Josiah 2Ki 23:4, 5
Prophets of, slain by Elijah 1Ki 18:40
All worshipers of, destroyed by Jehu 2Ki 10:18-25
2. A Benjamite 1Ch 8:30; 9:36
3. A Reubenite 1Ch 5:5
4. A city in the tribe of Simeon 1Ch 4:33 .
Called BAALATH-BEER Jos 19:8
BAALA
mistress; city.
(1.) A city in the south of Judah (Josh. 15:29), elsewhere called Balah (Josh. 19:3) and Bilhah (1 Chr. 4:29). Now Khurbet Zebalah.
(2.) A city on the northern border of the tribe of Judah (Josh. 15:10), called also Kirjath-jearim, q.v. (Josh 15:9; 1 Chr. 13:6), now Kuriet-el-Enab, or as some think, 'Erma.
(3.) A mountain on the north-western boundary of Judah and Dan (Josh. 15:11).
1. A city in the south of Judah Jos 15:29
Apparently identical with BALAH Jos 19:3
And BILHAH 1Ch 4:29
2. A city in the north of Judah also called KIRJATH-JEARIM, which see
3. A mountain in the territory of the tribe of Judah Jos 15:11
Probably identical with MOUNT JEARIM Jos 15:10
BAALATH
a town of the tribe of Dan (Josh. 19:44).
It was fortified by Solomon (1 Kings 9:18; 2 Chr. 8:6).
Some have identified it with Bel'ain, in Wady Deir Balut.
A city of the tribe of Dan Jos 19:44; 1Ki 9:18; 2Ch 8:6
BAALATH-BEER
Baalah of the well, (Josh. 19:8, probably the same as Baal, mentioned in 1 Chr. 4:33, a city of Simeon.
See BAAL
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" (1 Kings 7:2; 10:17; 2 Chr. 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.
BAAL-BERITH
covenant lord, the name of the god worshipped in Shechem after the death of Gideon (Judg. 8:33; 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 (Ex. 34:12), when they began to fall away to the worship of idols.
A god of the Shechemites Jud 9:4 Worshipped by Israelites Jud 8:33
Called BERITH Jud 9:46
BAALE OF JUDAH
lords of Judah, a city in the tribe of Judah from which David brought the ark into Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:2).
Elsewhere (1 Chr. 13:6) called Kirjath-jearim.
(See BAALAH)
BAALE
A city of Judah 2Sa 6:2
See KIRJATH-JEARIM
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 (Judges. 3:3; 1 Chr. 5:23), near the source of the Jordan (Josh. 13:5; 11:17; 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.
A city of the Canaanites Jos 11:17; 12:7; 13:5 Probably identical with BAAL-HERMON Jud 3:3; 1Ch 5:23
BAAL-GUR
See GUR-BAAL
BAAL-HAMON
place of a multitude, a place where Solomon had an extensive vineyard (Cant. Josh 8:11).
It has been supposed to be identical with Baal-gad, and also with Hammon in the tribe of Asher (Josh. 19:28).
Others identify it with Belamon, in Central Palestine, near Dothaim
A place in Mount Ephraim So 8:11 Called HAMMON Jos 19:28
BAAL-HANAN
lord of grace.
(1.) A king of Edom, son of Achbor (Gen. 36:38, 39; 1 Chr. 1:49, 50).
(2.) An overseer of "the olive trees and sycomore trees in the low plains" (the Shephelah) under David (1 Chr. 27:28).
1. A king of Edom Ge 36:38, 39; 1Ch 1:49, 50 2. One of David's overseers 1Ch 27:28