Difference between revisions of "Baal"

<p> [[Canaanite]] and Phoenician gods were known as Baals, or [[Baalim]] (the plural form of [[Baal]] in Hebrew; &nbsp;Judges 2:11; &nbsp;Judges 10:10; &nbsp;1 Kings 16:31). Goddesses were known as [[Ashtaroth]] (plural of Ashtoreth; &nbsp;Judges 2:13; &nbsp;1 Samuel 7:3-4; &nbsp;1 Samuel 12:10) or [[Asherim]] (plural of Asherah; &nbsp;1 Kings 15:13; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:19; &nbsp;2 Kings 23:4). </p> <p> The word baal was a common [[Hebrew]] word meaning ‘master’, ‘husband’ or ‘owner’. When the [[Israelites]] entered [[Canaan]] and found that the local people believed every piece of land had a god as its ‘owner’, baal developed a particular use as a proper noun. It became the title or name of the god of the land, whether of the land as a whole or of a particular area of land. In some cases the local Baal took its name from the locality (&nbsp;Numbers 25:3; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 4:3), and in other cases a locality was named after the Baal (&nbsp;Joshua 11:17; &nbsp;Judges 3:3; &nbsp;2 Samuel 5:20; &nbsp;2 Samuel 13:23). A locality may also have been named after the Ashtaroth (&nbsp;Joshua 12:4). </p> <p> '''''' </p> <p> '''Characteristics of Baal worship''' </p> <p> Baal and his associate goddesses were gods of nature who, according to popular belief, controlled the weather and had power to increase the fertility of soil, animals and humans. Since Israelites knew Yahweh as creator of nature and God of all life, they readily fell to the temptation to combine the Canaanite ideas with their own and so worship Yahweh as another Baal (&nbsp;Hosea 2:5-10; &nbsp;Hosea 4:7-10). This identification of Yahweh with Baal was probably also influenced by the fact that Yahweh was Israel’s husband and master (Heb: baal). </p> <p> The [[Canaanites]] liked to carry out their Baal rituals at sacred hilltop sites known as ‘high places’. This name was later applied to all places of Baal worship, not just those in the hills (&nbsp;2 Kings 14:4; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:9; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:32; &nbsp;2 Kings 23:13; &nbsp;Jeremiah 17:2-3; &nbsp;Jeremiah 32:35). Among the features of these high places were the sacred wooden or stone pillars known as Asherim (plural of Asherah, the goddess they represented) (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 12:3; &nbsp;Judges 6:25-26; &nbsp;1 Kings 14:23; &nbsp;2 Kings 10:27; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:10; &nbsp;2 Kings 21:3; &nbsp;2 Kings 21:7; &nbsp;2 Kings 23:6; &nbsp;Isaiah 27:9). </p> <p> Israelites had often gone up into the hills to worship God (&nbsp;Genesis 22:2; &nbsp;Exodus 17:8-15; &nbsp;Exodus 24:12-18; cf. &nbsp;1 Samuel 9:12-14; &nbsp;1 Samuel 10:5; &nbsp;1 Samuel 10:13) and in Canaan they easily fell to the temptation to use the local high places in their worship of Yahweh. These disorders would not have arisen if the Israelites had, from the beginning, obeyed God’s command and destroyed all the high places in the land (&nbsp;Numbers 33:52-53; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 12:2-3; &nbsp;1 Kings 3:2; &nbsp;Jeremiah 2:20; &nbsp;Jeremiah 3:6; &nbsp;Hosea 4:13). </p> <p> Prostitutes, male and female, were available at the high places for fertility rites. These were religious-sexual ceremonies that people believed would persuade the gods to give increase in family, herds, flocks and crops (&nbsp;1 Kings 14:23-24; &nbsp;Jeremiah 13:27; &nbsp;Hosea 4:10; &nbsp;Hosea 4:14; &nbsp;Hosea 9:1-3; &nbsp;Hosea 9:11-14; &nbsp;Amos 2:7-8). The people were also guilty of spiritual prostitution. Since the covenant bond between [[Israel]] and Yahweh was likened to the marriage bond, Israel’s association with Baal and other gods was a form of spiritual adultery (&nbsp;Isaiah 1:21; &nbsp;Jeremiah 13:27; &nbsp;Hosea 1:2; &nbsp;Hosea 2:5; &nbsp;Hosea 2:13; &nbsp;Hosea 4:12; &nbsp;Micah 1:7). </p> <p> '''God’s judgment on Israel''' </p> <p> Baal worship was a problem in Israel throughout most of the nation’s Old [[Testament]] history. It began soon after the people entered Canaan (&nbsp;Judges 2:11-13; &nbsp;Judges 3:7; &nbsp;Judges 8:33; &nbsp;Judges 10:6; &nbsp;Judges 10:10) and resisted repeated attempts at reform by various leaders. It remained firmly fixed in Israel’s national life up till the captivity, when God’ inevitable judgment fell (&nbsp;1 Samuel 7:3-4; &nbsp;1 Kings 15:9-14; &nbsp;1 Kings 22:51-53; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:7-18; &nbsp;2 Kings 18:1-4; &nbsp;2 Kings 21:1-3; &nbsp;2 Kings 23:26-27). </p> <p> Possibly the most dangerous period during this history was the reign of the [[Israelite]] king [[Ahab]] and his Phoenician wife Jezebel, who attempted to make Phoenician [[Baalism]] the official religion of Israel (&nbsp;1 Kings 16:31-33). This form of Baalism, under the lordship of the Phoenician Baal deity Melqart, was a greater threat to Israel than the local Canaanite Baalism. To meet the threat, God raised up the prophets [[Elijah]] and Elisha. Their ministry preserved the faithful through the crisis and led to the eventual removal of Phoenician Baalism. It was wiped out by Jehu’s ruthless purge in the north, and by a similar, but less bloody, purge in the south (1 Kings 17; 1 Kings 18; 1 Kings 19; 1 Kings 20; 1 Kings 21; 1 Kings 22; 2 Kings 1; 2 Kings 2; 2 Kings 3; 2 Kings 4; 2 Kings 5; 2 Kings 6; 2 Kings 7; 2 Kings 8; 2 Kings 9; 2 Kings 10; 2 Kings 11; see ELIJAH; ELISHA; JEHU). </p> <p> Local Canaanite Baalism, however, was not removed. Israel’s persistence in Baal worship was the chief reason for God’s judgment in finally destroying the nation and sending the people into captivity (&nbsp;2 Kings 17:7-18; &nbsp;2 Kings 21:10-15; &nbsp;Jeremiah 9:12-16; &nbsp;Jeremiah 11:13-17; &nbsp;Jeremiah 19:4-9). </p> <p> The time in captivity broke Israel’s relationship with Baalism. When the nation was later rebuilt, Baalism was no longer a serious problem (&nbsp;Ezekiel 36:22-29; &nbsp;Ezekiel 37:23). People were so determined to avoid any link between Baal and Yahweh that they refused to use the word baal when referring to God as their husband or master. They used the alternative word ish (&nbsp;Hosea 2:16-19). By New Testament times Jews had developed a thorough hatred of idolatry in all its forms (see IDOL, IDOLATRY). </p>

<p> '''Baal''' (bâ'al), lord. 1. A Reubenite. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:5. 2. The eon of Jehiel, and grandfather of Saul. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 8:30; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:36. </p> <p> '''Baal.''' The prevailing worship of the Phœnician and [[Canaanitish]] nations, as [[Ashtoreth]] was their prominent goddess. There can lie no doubt of the great antiquity of the worship of Baal. It prevailed in the time of [[Moses]] among the [[Moabites]] and Midianites, &nbsp;Numbers 22:41, and through them spread to the Israelites. &nbsp;Numbers 25:3-18; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 4:3. In the times of the kings it became the religion of the court and people of the ten tribes, &nbsp;1 Kings 16:31-33; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:19; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:22, and appears never to have been wholly abolished among them. &nbsp;2 Kings 17:16. [[Temples]] were erected to Baal in Judah, &nbsp;1 Kings 16:32, and be was worshipped with much ceremony. &nbsp;1 Kings 18:19; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:26-28; &nbsp;2 Kings 10:22. The religion of the ancient British islands resembled this ancient worship of Baal. The [[Babylonian]] Bel, &nbsp;Isaiah 46:1, or Belus, is supposed to be identical with Baal, though perhaps under some modified form. The plural, Baalim, is found frequently, and the singular, Baal, in different compounds, among which appear— </p> <p> 1. '''Baal-berith''' (bâ'al-bç'rith), the covenant Baal. &nbsp;Judges 8:33; &nbsp;Judges 9:4. The God who comes Into covenant with the worshippers. </p> <p> 2. '''Baal-hanan''' (bâ'al-hâ'nan). 1. The name of one of the early kings of Edom. &nbsp;Genesis 36:38-39; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 1:49-50. 2. The name of one of David's officers, who had the superintendence of his olive and sycamore plantations. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:28. </p> <p> 3. '''Baal-peor''' (bâ'al-pç'or), lord of the opening, i.e., for others to join in the worship. The narrative, &nbsp;Numbers 25:1-18, seems clearly to show that this form of Baal-worship was connected with licentious rites. </p> <p> 4. '''Baal-zebub''' (bâ'al-zç'bub), lord of the fly, and worshipped at Ekron. &nbsp;2 Kings 1:2-3; &nbsp;2 Kings 1:16. </p> <p> '''Baal''' also occurs as the prefix or suffix to the names of several places in Palestine. Rome of them are— </p> <p> 1. '''Baal''' , a town of Simeon, named only fn &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:33, which from the parallel list in &nbsp;Joshua 19:8 seems to have been identical with '''Baalath-beer''' . </p> <p> 2. '''Baalah''' (bâ'al-ah), mistress. 1. Another name for '''Kibjath-jearim''' , or '''Kirjath-baal''' , perhaps now Kuriet el Enab (?). &nbsp;Joshua 15:9-10; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 13:6. 2. A town in the south of Judah, &nbsp;Joshua 15:29, which in 19:3 is called '''Balah''' , and in the parallel list, &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:29, '''Bilhah''' . </p> <p> 3. '''Baalath''' (bâ'al-ăth), mistress, a town of Dan named with Gibbethon, Gath-rimmon and other [[Philistine]] places. &nbsp;Joshua 19:44. </p> <p> 4. '''Baalath-beer''' (bâ'al-ăth-bç'er), lord of the well. A town in the south part of Judah, given to Simeon, which also bore the name of '''Ramath-negeb''' , or "the height of the south." &nbsp;Joshua 19:8. </p> <p> 6. '''Baal-gad''' (bâ'al-găd), lord of fortune, used to denote the most northern, &nbsp;Joshua 11:17; &nbsp;Joshua 12:7, or perhaps northwestern, 13:6, point to which Joshua's victories extended. Possibly it was a Phœnician or Canaanite sanctuary of Baal under the aspect of Gad, or Fortune. </p> <p> 6. '''Baal-hamon''' (bâ'al-hâ'mon), lord of a multitude. A place at which [[Solomon]] had a vineyard, evidently of great extent. &nbsp;Song of Solomon 8:11. </p> <p> 7. '''Baal-hazor''' (bâ'al-hâ'zor), village of Baal. A place where [[Absalom]] appears to have had a sheep-farm, and where [[Amnon]] was murdered. &nbsp;2 Samuel 13:23. </p> <p> 8. '''Mount Baal-hermon''' (bâ'al-hêr'mon), lord of Hermon, &nbsp;Judges 3:3, and simply Baal-hermon, &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:23. This is usually considered as a distinct place from Mount Hermon; but we know that this mountain had at least three names, &nbsp;Deuteronomy 8:9, and Baal-hermon may have been a fourth in use among the Phœnician worshippers of Baal. </p> <p> 9. '''Baal-bieon''' (bâ'al-mç'on), lord of the house. One of the towns built by the Reubenites. &nbsp;Numbers 32:38. It also occurs in &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:8, and on each occasion with Nebo. In the time of Ezekiel it was Moabite, one of the cities which were the "glory of the country." &nbsp;Ezekiel 25:9. </p> <p> 10. '''Baal-perazim''' (bâ'al-pĕr'a-zĭm, or perâ'sim), lord of divisions. The scene of a victory of David over the Philistines, and of a great destruction of their images. &nbsp;2 Samuel 5:20; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 14:11. See &nbsp;Isaiah 28:21, where it is called '''Mount Perazim''' . </p> <p> 11. '''Baal-shalisha''' (bâ'al-shăl'i-shah), lord of Shalisha. A place named only in &nbsp;2 Kings 4:42, apparently not far from Gilgal; Comp. 4:38. </p> <p> 12. '''Baal-tamar''' (bâ'al-tâ'mar), lord of the palm tree. A place named only in &nbsp;Judges 20:33, as near [[Gibeah]] of Benjamin. The palm tree (tâmâr) of Deborah, &nbsp;Judges 4:1-24; &nbsp;Judges 5:1-31, was situated somewhere in the locality. </p> <p> 13. '''Baal-zephon''' (bâ'al-zç'phon), lord of the north. A place in [[Egypt]] near where the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, &nbsp;Numbers 33:7; &nbsp;Exodus 14:2; &nbsp;Exodus 14:9, probably on the western shore of the [[Gulf]] of Suez, a little below its head. </p>

<p> '''Ba'al.''' (lord). </p> <p> 1. A [[Reubenite]] &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:5. </p> <p> 2. The son of Jehiel, and grandfather of Saul. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 8:30; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:36. </p> <p> The supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations, as Ashtoreth was their supreme female divinity. Some suppose Baal to correspond to the sun and Ashtoreth to the moon; others that Baal was [[Jupiter]] and Ashtoreth Venus. There can be no doubt of the very high antiquity of the worship of Baal. It prevailed in the time of Moses among the Moabites and Midianites, &nbsp;Numbers 22:41, and through them spread to the Israelites. &nbsp;Numbers 25:3-18; &nbsp;Numbers 4:3. </p> <p> In the times of the kings, it became the religion of the court and people of the ten tribes, &nbsp;1 Kings 16:31-33; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:19; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:22, and appears never to have been permanently abolished among them. &nbsp;2 Kings 17:16 Temples were erected to Baal in Judah, &nbsp;1 Kings 16:32 and he was worshipped with much ceremony. &nbsp;1 Kings 18:19; &nbsp;1 Kings 26-28; &nbsp;2 Kings 10:22. The attractiveness of this worship to the Jews undoubtedly grew out of its licentious character. We find this worship also in Phoenician colonies. </p> <p> The religion of the ancient British islands much resembled this ancient worship of Baal, and may have been derived from it. Nor need we hesitate to regard the Babylonian Bel, &nbsp;Isaiah 46:1, or Beaus, as essentially identical with Baal, though perhaps under some modified form. The plural, '''Baalim''' , is found frequently, showing that he was probably worshipped under different compounds, among which appear - </p> <p> 3. Baal-Berith. (the covenant Baal), &nbsp;Judges 8:33; &nbsp;Judges 9:4, the god who comes into covenant with the worshippers. </p> <p> 4. Baal-Zebub. (lord of the fly), and worshipped at Ekron. &nbsp;2 Kings 1:2-3; &nbsp;2 Kings 1:16. </p> <p> 5. Baal-Hanan. a. The name of one of the early kings of Edom. &nbsp;Genesis 36:38-39; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 1:49-50. </p> <p> b. The name of one of David's officers, who had the superintendence of his olive and sycamore plantations. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:28. </p> <p> 6. Baal-Peor. (lord of the opening, that is, for others to join in the worship). We have already referred to the worship of this god. The narrative Numbers 25 seems clearly to show that this form of Baal-worship was connected with licentious rites. </p> <p> '''Geographical.''' This word occurs as the prefix or suffix to the names of several places in Palestine, some of which are as follows: </p> <p> 7. '''Baal''' a town of Simeon, named only in &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:33 which from the parallel list in &nbsp;Joshua 19:8 seems to have been identical with Baalath-Beer. </p> <p> 8. '''Baalah.''' (mistress). </p> <p> a. Another name for '''Kirjath-Jearim''' , or '''Kirjath-Baal''' , the well-known town now Kuriet el Enab. &nbsp;Joshua 15:9-10; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 13:6. </p> <p> b. A town in the south of Judah, &nbsp;Joshua 15:29 which in &nbsp;Joshua 19:3, is called '''Balah''' , and in the parallel list, &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:29, '''Bilhah''' . </p> <p> 9. '''Baalath.''' (mistress), a town of Dan named with Gibbethon, Gath-rim-mon and other Philistine places. &nbsp;Joshua 19:44. </p> <p> 10. Baalath-Beer. (lord of the well). '''Baal, 7''' , a town among those in the south part of Judah, given to Simeon, which also bore the name of '''Ramath-Negeb''' , or "the height of the south." &nbsp;Joshua 19:8. </p> <p> 11. Baal-Gad. (lord of fortune), used to denote the most northern, &nbsp;Joshua 11:17; &nbsp;Joshua 12:7, or perhaps northwestern, &nbsp;Joshua 13:5, point to which Joshua's victories extended. It was in all probability a Phoenician or Canaanite sanctuary of Baal under the aspect of [[Gad]] or Fortune. </p> <p> 12. Baal-Hamon. (lord of a multitude), a place at which Solomon had a vineyard, evidently of great extent. &nbsp;Song of Solomon 8:11. </p> <p> 13. Baal-Hazor. (village of Baal), a place where Absalom appears to have had a sheep-farm, and where Amnon was murdered. &nbsp;2 Samuel 13:23. </p> <p> 14. [[Mountain]] Baal-Hermon. (Lord of Hermon), &nbsp;Judges 3:3, and simply Baal-hermon. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:23 This is usually considered as a distinct place from Mount Hermon; but we know that this mountain had at least three names &nbsp;Deuteronomy 3:9 and Baal-hermon may have been a fourth in use among the Phoenician worshippers. </p> <p> 15. Baal-Meon. (lord of the house), one of the towns which were built by the Reubenites. &nbsp;Numbers 32:38. It also occurs in &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:8 and on each occasion with Nebo. In the time of Ezekiel, it was Moabite, one of the cities which were the "glory of the country." &nbsp;Ezekiel 25:9. </p> <p> 16. Baal-Perazim. (lord of divisions), the scene of a victory of David over the Philistines, and of a great destruction of their images. &nbsp;2 Samuel 5:20; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 14:11. See &nbsp;Isaiah 28:21 where it is called Mountain Perazim. </p> <p> 17. Baal-Shalisha. (lord of Shalisha), a place named only in &nbsp;2 Kings 4:42 apparently not far from Gilgal; Compare &nbsp;2 Kings 4:38. </p> <p> 18. Baal-Tamar. (lord of the palm tree), a place named only in &nbsp;Judges 20:33 as near Gibeah of Benjamin. The palm tree (Hebrew, '''tamar''' ) of Deborah, &nbsp;Judges 4:5, was situated somewhere in the locality, and is possibly alluded to. </p> <p> 19. Baal-Zephon. (lord of the north), a place in Egypt near where the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. &nbsp;Numbers 33:7; &nbsp;Ezekiel 14:2; &nbsp;Ezekiel 9. We place Baal-zephon on the western shore of the Gulf of Suez, a little below its head, which at that time was about 30 or 40 miles northward of the [[Present]] head. </p>

<p> Lord, </p> <p> 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, &nbsp;Judges 6:25-32 &nbsp; 2 Kings 10:18,28 . See ASHTORETH, plural ASH'TAROTH. The plural, Baalim, signifies images or statues of Baal, &nbsp;Judges 2:11 &nbsp; 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 &nbsp;Isaiah 46:1 &nbsp; Jeremiah 50:2 &nbsp; 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. </p> <p> 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 &nbsp;2 Kings 23:11 . </p> <p> 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, &nbsp;2 Kings 21:5,7 . Jeremiah threatens the Jews who had sacrificed to Baal on the house-top, &nbsp;Jeremiah 32:29; and [[Josiah]] destroyed the altars which [[Ahaz]] had erected on the terrace of his palace, &nbsp;2 Kings 23:12 . </p> <p> 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," &nbsp;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. </p> <p> The children of Israel were prone to serve Baal. See &nbsp;Numbers 25:3 &nbsp; Judges 2:14 &nbsp; 3:7 . Under Samuel they put away their idols, &nbsp;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, &nbsp;1 Kings 16:31 . </p> <p> Joined with other words, Baal signifies also other false gods. Baal-Berith, or the "lord of the covenant," was a god of the Shechemites, &nbsp;Judges 8:33 &nbsp; 9:4 . Baal-Peor, or "the lord of Peor," was a filthy idol of the Moabites, &nbsp;Numbers 25:3,5 &nbsp; Hosea 9:10 . Baal-Zebub, "lord of flies," was a god of the [[Philistines]] at Ekron. See [[Beelzebub]] . </p> <p> 2. The word [[Baal]] also occurs in many compound names of places, not always having any reference to the idol. </p>

<p> A name generally used for an idol. And when more than a single idol is spoken of, the word is made plural, Baalim. The children of Israel, from being surrounded with idolatrous neighbours, too often were led away by their allurements to the same idolatry. (See &nbsp;Numbers 22:41; &nbsp;Judges 2:13; &nbsp;1 Kings 16:31; &nbsp;2 Kings 10:19; &nbsp;Hosea 2:8.) </p> <p> I cannot take a more effectual method to shew the Lord's watchful care over his Israel, to preserve them from this contagion, than what the Lord himself hath manifested in that beautiful chapter, the second of the prophecy of Hosea. If the reader will turn to it, and peruse it from beginning to end, he will observe, that at that time the tribes of the Lord were much disposed to idolatry. The Lord sets himself therefore to bring them back, and in opening to them the prospects of salvation, shews how he will bring them under afflictions, in wilderness dispensations, and then having hedged their way up with thorns, compels them, by his grace, to return to him their first lover. And to keep them from revolting again, he will open to them a new name, whereby they shall know him and delight in him. "And it shall be in that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi, and shalt call me no more Baali. For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth." (&nbsp;Hosea 2:16-17.) In the margin of the Bible, [[Ishi]] is rendered my husband. The reader will have a full apprehension of the grace and loving kindness of the Lord in this ordination, when he is told, that as the word Baal, Lord; or Baali, my lord, was a general name to imply lordship, or sovereignty: the Lord JEHOVAH had been considered as Israel's Baal, to distinguish him from the nations' Baal around. But as there was not distinction enough in those general names, to preserve Israel in a proper sense of reverence between JEHOVAH, and those dunghill gods, being all alike called Baal, or Lord; the Lord graciously saith, in this sweet Scripture, that he will be no more called Baal, but will lose as it were, the name of Lord, in that of husband. Thou shalt call me Ishi; that is, my husband, my man. Was there ever an instance of such rich grace and condescension and love? </p> <p> I beg the reader to pause over it, and ponder it well. And when he hath duly contemplated the unequalled subject, let him add to it the farther consideration, how the Lord Jesus Christ hath really, and indeed, fulfilled all he here promised, in becoming the [[Husband]] of his church and people. Hence the prophet sings, "For thy Maker is thine husband, the Lord of hosts is his name: and thy [[Redeemer]] the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth shall he be called." (&nbsp;Isaiah 54:5.) Surely, nothing can be wanting to give the most finishing testimony to the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Blessed Husband of thy church; be thou my Ishi for ever! </p>

<p> Baal (&nbsp;Romans 11:4 in a quotation from &nbsp;1 Kings 19:18) was a generic name for a god among Semitic peoples, the literal meaning being ‘owner’ or ‘lord.’ Attempts have been made to show that this was the original name of the Sun-god, or that it represents the [[Supreme]] Being worshipped by the Canaanites. Neither of these contentions can be proved; indeed it is evident that the Baal of one place differed from that of another. Thus the reference in the text is to Melkart, the Baal of Tyre. The feminine article (τῇ Βαάλ) in the Greek of &nbsp;Romans 11:4 is due to the frequent substitution of <i> bôsheth </i> (in Greek αἰσχύνη), ‘shame,’ for Baal by the Hebrews.*[Note: Hence frequently in LXX ἡ Βαάλ (= ἡ αἰσχύνη), though in &nbsp;1 Kings 19:18 the reading is τῷ Βαάλ.] </p> <p> Literature.-A. S. Peake, article‘Baal’ in <i> Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) </i> ; G. F. Moore in <i> Encyclopaedia Biblica </i> ; L. B. Paton in <i> Encyclopaedia of [[Religion]] and Ethics </i> ; W. R. Smith, <i> RS </i> [Note: S Religion of the Semites (W. Robertson Smith).]2, London, 1894, p. 93ff. </p> <p> F. W. Worsley. </p>

<li> The name of a place inhabited by the Simeonites, the same probably as Baal-ath-beer (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:33; &nbsp;Joshua 19:8 ). <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Baal'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/baal.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> '''(1):''' (n.) The supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations. </p> <p> '''(2):''' (n.) The whole class of divinities to whom the name Baal was applied. </p>