בַּעֲלִיס
𐤁𐤏𐤋𐤉𐤎
Baalis
H1185 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Baalis is a proper name, referring to an Ammonite king mentioned in the context of the late monarchic/early exilic period. The name likely means 'in rejoicing' or 'in exultation,' possibly denoting a state of joy or exultation, but its precise nuance as a personal name is uncertain. The word occurs as a theophoric or descriptive name rather than as a common noun or verb.
Semantic Range
proper name (Ammonite king), with possible underlying sense of 'in exultation,' 'with joy,' personal name only; no common noun usage
Root / Etymology
From the root עלס ('to exult, rejoice') with the prepositional prefix בַּ ('in'), forming a personal name. The exact formation and nuance are uncertain, given that the attested usage is solely as a proper name, and the underlying verb is rare. The name appears to be of Northwest Semitic origin, consistent with Ammonite onomastics.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Baalis appears exclusively in Jeremiah 40:14 as the name of a king of the Ammonites during the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall. The biblical account refers to him as an Ammonite, indicating contact between Israelite/Judean refugees and neighboring kingdoms. The Hebrew construction is unusual and possibly reflects rendering of a non-Israelite Semitic name. The term has sometimes been translated or Anglicized as 'Baalis,' but this does not indicate association with the deity Baal. The use of 'Baali-' in Northwest Semitic personal names often carries various theophoric and descriptive senses. The underlying verb עלס ('rejoice, exult') is rare in biblical Hebrew, making the semantic link less certain, but the name plausibly carries the sense of 'in exultation' or 'with joy.' English translations tend simply to render the name as 'Baalis,' without further nuance; no KJV-era or modern English ethnic/religious term should be read into the name or its referent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
xlit Baʻălîç corrected to Baʻălîyç; probably from a derivative of עָלַס with prepositional prefix; in exultation; Baalis, an Ammonitish king; Baalis.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עלס (ʿ-l-s) — to exult, to rejoice
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5965 | עָלַס | she has exulted |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1185-01 |
בַּעֲלִ֣יס | baalis | HNp |
Baalis | In-Exultation | Baalis | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1185-01 |
Jeremiah 40:14 | בַּעֲלִ֣יס | baalis | HNp |
Baalis | In-Exultation | Baalis |