Meaning
(1) A descendant of Reuben, Jacob's first-born son, and the father of Beerah, prince of the Reubenitcs, "whom Tiglath-pileser (1Ch 5:5, 1Ch 5:6) king of Assyria carried away captive."
(2) The fourth of ten sons of Jeiel (King James Version "Jehiel"), father and founder of Gibeon. His mother was Maacah; his brother Kish father o� Saul (1Ch 8:29, 1Ch 9:35, 1Ch 9:36, 1Ch 9:39; compare 1Sa 14:50f). These passages identify Jeiel and Abiel as the father of Kish and thus of Baal. For study of confusions in the genealogical record, in 1Ch 9:36, 1Ch 9:39, see KISH; ABIEL; JEIEL.
(3) In composition often the name of a man and not of the heathen god, e.g. Baal-hanan, a king of Edom (Gen 36:38, 1Ch 1:49); also a royal prefect of the same name (1Ch 27:28). Gesenius thinks that Baal in compound words rarely refers to the god by that name. See BAAL (deity).
(4) A city of the tribe of Simeon (1Ch 4:33). See BAALATH-BEER.
Dwight M. Pratt
