Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7312 Baal

Literally “master”, used to refer to a variety of local gods in the Near East, encountered by Israel in Canaan. In the later period, the word comes to refer especially to the local god of the city of Tyre (Baal Melgart), on account of the increasing importance of that city in the region.

The history of Baal worship

In the exodus period

Numbers 25:3-5 A Moabite deity whose worship involved sexual immorality. See also Numbers 22:41; Deuteronomy 4:3; Psalm 106:28; Hosea 9:10

In the time of the judges

Judges 2:12-13 Ashtoreth was the consort of Baal. See also Judges 3:7; Judges 6:31-32; Judges 8:33; Judges 10:6; 1 Samuel 7:4; Samuel 12:10

In the time of Elijah

1 Kings 17:1 The proclamation of a drought and the contest on Carmel challenged the supposed power of Baal. See also 1 Kings 16:30-33; Kings 18:18-19:1; Kings 22:53; 2 Kings 10:18-29; Kings 11:17-18

During the later monarchy in the north

Hosea 2:2-13 Lovers are gods such as Baal. See also Hosea 11:2; Hosea 13:1

During the later monarchy in the south

2 Chronicles 28:1-2 The Judean kingdom copied the idolatry in the north. See also Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 7:9; Hosea 3:3

See also

5092  Elijah
7774  prophets, false
8237  doctrine, false
8747  false gods
8748  false religion
8752  false worship
8768  idolatry