Eshbaal
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Eshbaal in the Bible?
Eshbaal was a son of King Saul of Israel who ruled over the northern tribes after his father's death, as recorded in the genealogical and historical accounts of the First Book of Chronicles and the Books of Samuel.
SIGNIFICANCE
The name Eshbaal, meaning 'man of Baal,' demonstrates the persistence of Canaanite religious terminology in early Israelite royal naming conventions before the later scribal practice of substituting 'Baal' with 'bosheth' (shame) to avoid invoking a foreign deity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Eshbaal reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Eshbaal in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Eshbaal clarify?
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Eshbaal." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/eshbaal/