Baal(baalath beer)
“Lord, master, owner, or possessor”
Summary
The chief male deity of the Canaanites and Phoenicians, whose worship repeatedly seduced Israel into idolatry throughout the Old Testament period.
☩Name and Nature
The name Baal means 'lord,' 'master,' or 'possessor,' and was used as a title for various local deities as well as the chief Canaanite god. As a common noun, baal could refer to any owner or husband, but as a proper noun it designated the storm and fertility god worshipped throughout Canaan and Phoenicia. The plural 'Baalim' refers either to the many local manifestations of this deity or to the various male gods of the region.
☩Worship Practices
Baal worship was conducted at high places, under green trees, and at altars with accompanying pillars and Asherah poles. The rituals included burning incense, offering sacrifices, and in some periods the horrific practice of child sacrifice—'passing children through the fire.' Sacred prostitution and licentious rites were common, as Baal was associated with fertility and reproduction. Worshippers would cut themselves with knives to gain their god's attention.
☩Israel's Apostasy
From the time of the judges through the monarchy, Israel repeatedly fell into Baal worship. The period under Ahab and Jezebel marked the nadir, when Jezebel's Phoenician Baal worship nearly supplanted Yahweh worship entirely. Even Judah succumbed under wicked kings like Manasseh. The prophets consistently condemned this apostasy, and Baal worship was a major factor in Israel's eventual exile.
☩Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
The dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel demonstrated Yahweh's power over the supposedly storm-controlling Baal. When the 450 prophets of Baal cried out all day and cut themselves with no response, Elijah's simple prayer brought fire from heaven that consumed the sacrifice, the altar, and even the water in the trench. The people fell on their faces declaring 'Yahweh, He is God,' and the prophets of Baal were executed.
☩Destruction of Baal Worship
Several reforming kings worked to eradicate Baal worship from Israel and Judah. Jehu destroyed the temple of Baal in Samaria and killed all his worshippers, though his reform was incomplete. Josiah's reforms included destroying the vessels made for Baal and deposing the idolatrous priests. The prophets looked forward to a day when the names of the Baals would be removed from Israel's lips forever.
Related Verses103 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Baal," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Baal," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Baal," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).