Topical Encyclopedia Ba'al-her'mon is a location mentioned in the Bible, associated with the northern boundary of the land inhabited by the Israelites. The name "Ba'al-her'mon" combines "Ba'al," a title used for various local deities in the ancient Near East, with "Hermon," a significant mountain in the region. This suggests that Ba'al-her'mon may have been a site of religious or cultural importance, possibly linked to the worship of Ba'al, a common Canaanite deity.Biblical References: 1. Judges 3:3 : "These are the nations the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan... the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath." This passage indicates that Ba'al-her'mon was part of the territory inhabited by the Hivites, one of the Canaanite tribes. It served as a geographical marker for the northern extent of the land where these tribes resided. 2. 1 Chronicles 5:23 : "The descendants of the half-tribe of Manasseh settled in the land from Bashan to Baal-hermon, that is, to Senir or Mount Hermon. They were numerous." This verse highlights the settlement of the half-tribe of Manasseh in the region extending to Ba'al-her'mon, emphasizing its location near Mount Hermon. The mention of Senir, another name for Mount Hermon, further associates Ba'al-her'mon with this prominent geographical feature. Geographical and Historical Context: Ba'al-her'mon is situated in the northern part of ancient Israel, near Mount Hermon, which is a significant mountain range in the Anti-Lebanon mountains. Mount Hermon is known for its height and its snow-capped peaks, which provide a source of water for the Jordan River. The region around Mount Hermon was strategically important due to its elevation and its role as a natural boundary. The presence of the name "Ba'al" in Ba'al-her'mon suggests that the site may have been associated with the worship of Ba'al, a deity commonly revered in Canaanite religion. Ba'al was often considered a storm god, associated with fertility and weather, which would have been significant in an agrarian society dependent on rainfall. Cultural and Religious Significance: The mention of Ba'al-her'mon in the context of the Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan reflects the ongoing struggle between the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, and the local Canaanite deities. The Israelites were frequently warned against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations, including the worship of Ba'al. The presence of sites like Ba'al-her'mon serves as a reminder of the cultural and religious challenges faced by the Israelites as they sought to establish their identity and faith in the Promised Land. In summary, Ba'al-her'mon is a location of both geographical and religious significance in the biblical narrative, marking the northern boundary of Israelite territory and highlighting the cultural interactions between the Israelites and the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. Concordance Ba'al-her'mon (2 Occurrences)Judges 3:3 1 Chronicles 5:23 Thesaurus Ba'al-her'mon (2 Occurrences)Ba'al-her'mon. Baal-hermon, Ba'al-her'mon. Baali . Multi-Version Concordance Ba'al-her'mon (2 Occurrences). Judges 3:3 These are ... /b/ba'al-her'mon.htm - 7k Baal-hermon (2 Occurrences) Baali (1 Occurrence) Sido'nians (11 Occurrences) Resources Who was Moloch/Molech? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about child sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org What is an Asherah pole? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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