Baali
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Baali in the Bible?
The term Baal, meaning 'lord' or 'owner,' referred to various Canaanite deities and was occasionally applied to Yahweh in early Israelite practice, a usage later rejected by prophets like Hosea who insisted on distinct titles such as 'Ishi' (my husband) to separate Yahwism from Baal worship.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the historical overlap and subsequent separation of Baal and Yahweh clarifies the intense theological struggle for religious identity in ancient Israel, providing essential context for understanding the prophetic rhetoric used to enforce monotheistic purity in biblical texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Baali in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Baali clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.