The meaning of Baal (2) in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)ba'-al ba'al, "lord," "master," "possessor"):
(1) A descendant of Reuben, Jacob's first-born son, and the father of Beerah, prince of the Reubenitcs, "whom Tiglath-pileser (I Chronicles 5:5-6) king of Assyria carried away captive."
(2) The fourth of ten sons of Jeiel (King James Version "Jehiel"), father and founder of Gibeon. His mother was Maacah; his brother Kish father oœ Saul (I Chronicles 8:29 f.; I Chronicles 9:35-36, I Chronicles 9:39; compare I Samuel 14:50 f.). These passages identify Jeiel and Abiel as the father of Kish and thus of Baal. For study of confusions in the genealogical record, in I Chronicles 9:36, I Chronicles 9:39, see KISH; ABIEL; JEIEL.
(3) In composition often the name of a man and not of the heathen god, e.g. Baal-hanan, a king of Edom (Genesis 36:38; I Chronicles 1:49); also a royal prefect of the same name (I Chronicles 27:28). Gesenius thinks that Baal in compound words rarely refers to the god by that name.
See BAAL (deity).
(4) A city of the tribe of Simeon (I Chronicles 4:33).
See BAALATH-BEER.
Dwight M. Pratt
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.