Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Baalim is the plural form of Baal, a term used throughout the Old Testament to refer to various local deities worshiped in the ancient Near East, particularly by the Canaanites. The name "Baal" itself means "lord" or "master" and was often associated with fertility, weather, and agriculture. The worship of Baalim was a recurring issue for the Israelites, as it represented a significant departure from the worship of Yahweh, the one true God of Israel.Biblical References and Context The worship of Baalim is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a source of idolatry and apostasy among the Israelites. In Judges 2:11-13 , it is recorded: "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger because they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths." The Israelites' attraction to Baalim was partly due to the seductive nature of Canaanite religion, which often included ritualistic practices and ceremonies that appealed to human senses and desires. The worship of Baalim typically involved altars, high places, and sacred groves, where sacrifices and other rites were performed. Prophetic Condemnation The prophets of Israel consistently condemned the worship of Baalim, viewing it as a direct violation of the covenant between God and His people. The prophet Hosea, for example, rebuked Israel for their unfaithfulness, likening their idolatry to adultery. Hosea 2:13 states: "I will punish her for the days of the Baals to which she burned incense. She decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers, but Me she forgot," declares the LORD. Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah warned of the consequences of forsaking Yahweh for Baalim. In Jeremiah 9:14 , it is written: "Instead, they have followed the stubbornness of their hearts and gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them." Reform and Renewal Throughout Israel's history, there were periods of reform when kings and leaders sought to eradicate the worship of Baalim and restore the worship of Yahweh. One notable example is King Josiah, who initiated significant religious reforms. 2 Kings 23:4-5 records: "Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel. He also deposed the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven." Theological Significance The struggle against the worship of Baalim highlights the central biblical theme of monotheism and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The repeated lapses into idolatry serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of syncretism and the human tendency to turn away from God. The narrative of Baalim underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the need for continual spiritual vigilance. In summary, Baalim represents the persistent challenge of idolatry faced by the Israelites and serves as a reminder of the call to worship the one true God with undivided loyalty. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary BaalimSmith's Bible Dictionary Baalim[BAAL] Easton's Bible Dictionary Plural of Baal; images of the god Baal (Judges 2:11; 1 Samuel 7:4). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) Plural of Baal.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BAALIMba'-a-lim ha-be`alim: Plur. of BAAL (which see). Strong's Hebrew 1168. Ba'al -- a heathen god... Baal, plural Baalim The same as ba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity -- Baal, (plural) Baalim. see HEBREW ba'al. 1167, 1168. Ba'al. 1168a . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/1168.htm - 5k Library Jehoshaphat's Reform Israel's Obstinacy and God's Patience Deuteronomy A Miracle of Grace Canaan The Prophet --His Youth and his Call. His Earliest Oracles. (ii. 2-iv. 4. ) Nor Should I Think it Needful to Discuss Whether God Pursues a ... Israel in Canaan. Index of Names and Subjects. Thesaurus Baalim (18 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAALIM. ba'-a-lim ha-be`alim: Plur. of BAAL (which see). Multi-Version Concordance Baalim (18 Occurrences). ... /b/baalim.htm - 12k Baal (94 Occurrences) Groves (32 Occurrences) Shrines (40 Occurrences) Forgat (9 Occurrences) Forsaking (29 Occurrences) Baalis (1 Occurrence) Ash'taroth (12 Occurrences) Graven (61 Occurrences) Resources Who was Baal? | GotQuestions.orgBaalim: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Baalim (18 Occurrences)Judges 2:11 Judges 3:7 Judges 8:33 Judges 10:6 Judges 10:10 1 Samuel 7:4 1 Samuel 12:10 1 Kings 18:18 2 Chronicles 17:3 2 Chronicles 24:7 2 Chronicles 28:2 2 Chronicles 33:3 2 Chronicles 34:4 Jeremiah 2:23 Jeremiah 9:14 Hosea 2:13 Hosea 2:17 Hosea 11:2 Subtopics Related Terms |
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