Topical Encyclopedia
1. Definition and Meaning:Baalah is a name that appears in the Old Testament, referring to both a location and a person. The name Baalah is derived from the Hebrew root "ba'al," which means "lord" or "master." In the context of biblical geography and genealogy, Baalah is associated with places and individuals that played roles in the history of Israel.
2. Baalah as a Location:Baalah is mentioned as a geographical location in the tribal allotments of the Israelites. It is identified with several places:
·
Baalah in Judah: Baalah is listed as one of the towns in the territory of the tribe of Judah. In
Joshua 15:9-10 , it is described as being on the border of Judah: "Then the border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron and went down to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim)." This indicates its location near Kiriath-jearim, a significant site in the history of the Ark of the Covenant.
·
Baalah as Kiriath-jearim: The town of Baalah is also known as Kiriath-jearim, a city that played a crucial role in the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant. After the Ark was returned by the Philistines, it was brought to Kiriath-jearim, where it remained for many years before being moved to Jerusalem by King David (
1 Samuel 7:1-2,
2 Samuel 6:2).
·
Baalah in the North: Another mention of Baalah is found in
Joshua 19:3 , where it is listed as a town in the territory of the tribe of Simeon: "Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem." This Baalah is distinct from the one in Judah and is part of the southern region allocated to Simeon.
3. Baalah as a Person:While Baalah is primarily known as a place, the name is also associated with individuals in genealogical records. However, specific details about individuals named Baalah are sparse, and the name is more prominently recognized in its geographical context.
4. Historical and Theological Significance:The locations named Baalah hold historical and theological significance in the biblical narrative. Kiriath-jearim, identified with Baalah in Judah, is particularly noteworthy for its association with the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark's presence in Kiriath-jearim symbolizes God's covenantal relationship with Israel and His divine presence among His people. The movement of the Ark from Baalah to Jerusalem under King David marks a pivotal moment in establishing Jerusalem as the religious and political center of Israel.
5. Archaeological Insights:Archaeological studies have sought to identify the precise locations of the sites named Baalah. Kiriath-jearim, associated with Baalah in Judah, has been the subject of archaeological interest, with excavations revealing insights into the settlement patterns and historical context of the region during the biblical period.
6. Cross-References:·
Joshua 15:9-10 : Describes the border of Judah extending to Baalah.
·
1 Samuel 7:1-2 : Mentions the Ark of the Covenant being brought to Kiriath-jearim.
·
2 Samuel 6:2 : Refers to David bringing the Ark from Baalah to Jerusalem.
·
Joshua 19:3 : Lists Baalah as a town in the territory of Simeon.
Baalah, in its various mentions, reflects the rich tapestry of Israel's tribal inheritance, religious history, and the enduring significance of the Ark of the Covenant in the life of the nation.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Baalahher idol; she that is governed or subdued; a spouse
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Baalah[BAAL, NO. 2]
ATS Bible Dictionary
BaalahA town in the tribe of Simeon,Joshua 15:29; 19:3; called also Bilhah,1 Chronicles 4:29. The same as Kirjathjearim.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Mistress; city.
(1.) A city in the south of Judah (Joshua 15:29), elsewhere called Balah (Joshua 19:3) and Bilhah (1 Chronicles 4:29). Now Khurbet Zebalah.
(2.) A city on the northern border of the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:10), called also Kirjath-jearim, q.v. (15:9;1 Chronicles 13:6), now Kuriet-el-Enab, or as some think, `Erma.
(3.) A mountain on the north-western boundary of Judah and Dan (Joshua 15:11).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BAALAHba'-a-la ba`alah; ("possessor," "mistress "): Three occurrences of this name:
(1) = KIRIATH-JEARIM (which see) (Joshua 15:9, 101 Chronicles 13:6).
(2) A city in the Negeb of Judah (Joshua 15:29). InJoshua 19:3 Balah and in1 Chronicles 4:29 Bilhah; perhaps also Boaloth ofJoshua 15:24. The site is unknown; but see PEF, III, 26.
(3) Mount Baalah (Joshua 15:11), a mountain ridge between Shikkeron (Ekron) and Jabnoel unless, as seems probable, the suggestion of M. Clermont-Ganneau (Rev. Crit, 1897, 902) is correct that for har (= "mount"), we should read nahar ("river"). In this case the border in question would be the Nahr rubin. Here there is an annual feast held-attended by all classes and famous all over Syria-which appears to be a real survival of "Baal worship."
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
1173.Baalah -- the name of several places in Isr.... 1172, 1173.
Baalah. 1174 . the name of several places in Isr. Transliteration:
Baalah Phonetic Spelling: (bah-al-aw') Short Definition:
Baalah.
...1172.baalah -- a mistress
... 1171, 1172.baalah. 1173 . a mistress. Transliteration:baalah Phonetic Spelling:
(bah-al-aw') Short Definition: medium.... 1171, 1172.baalah. 1173 ....
1192. Baalath Beer -- "mistress of a well," a city in Simeon
... Word Origin frombaalah and beer Definition "mistress of a well," a city
in Simeon NASB Word Usage Baalath-beer (1). Baalath-beer....
1191. Baalath -- a city in Dan
... Definition: Baalath. Word Origin probably frombaalah Definition a city
in Dan NASB Word Usage Baalath (3). Baalath. A modification...
1175. Bealoth -- "mistresses," a city in S. Judah, also a city of...
... Word Origin pl. ofbaalah Definition "mistresses," a city in S. Judah, also a city
of unc. location NASB Word Usage Bealoth (2). Bealoth, in Aloth....
Library
Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
... and Gibbethon, and Baaleth; behold, these are Judah." (Here is a mistake of the
transcribers, for it should be written, of Dan, Joshua 19:44.) "Baalah, and Jiim...
Death and Life from the Ark
... reception and procession. The parallel account in 1 Chronicles tates that
Baalah, or Baale, was Kirjath-jearim. Probably the former...
Thesaurus
Baalah (5 Occurrences)... 15:11). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BAALAH. ba'-a-la
... EWG Masterman.
Multi-Version Concordance
Baalah (5 Occurrences). Joshua 15:9
...Ba'alah (5 Occurrences)
Ba'alah.Baalah, Ba'alah. Baalam . Multi-Version Concordance Ba'alah
(5 Occurrences). Joshua 15:9 The border extended from the top...
Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 15:1-29; Comp. Psalm 132). It was also calledBaalah (Joshua
15:9) and Kirjath-baal (60). It has been usually identified...
Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 15:1-29; Comp. Psalm 132). It was also calledBaalah (Joshua
15:9) and Kirjath-baal (60). It has been usually identified...
Jearim (19 Occurrences)
... from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out
to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended toBaalah (the same...
Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... same place); it was one of the places on the border line between Judah and Benjamin
(Joshua 18:14, 15; Joshua 15:11 (where it is called "Baalah"); compare 1...
Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)
... the top of the mountain unto the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out
to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn toBaalah--the same...
Northwards (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:10 and the border turned fromBaalah westwards toward mount Seir, and
passed toward the side of Har-jearim, that is, Chesalon, northwards, and went...
Extended (40 Occurrences)
... from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out
to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended toBaalah (the same...
Balah (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A city in the tribe of Simeon (Joshua 19:3), elsewhere
called Bilhah (1 Chronicles 4:29) andBaalah (Joshua 15:29). Int....
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