יְרֻבַּעַל
𐤉𐤓𐤁𐤏𐤋
Yerubaal
H3378 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name, personal: Jerubbaal — 'Let Baal contend' or 'May Baal dispute.' Refers specifically to the Israelite leader Gideon, to whom this as a symbolic epithet accretes after a confrontation with the altar of Baal (Judges 6:32). Lexically, the name functions as a declarative or imperative phrase suggesting that Baal should take action in response to an affront. Semantic range includes: personal name, symbolic epithet referencing action toward Baal or Baal's impotence.
Semantic Range
personal name, epithet signaling opposition to Baal, statement regarding Baal's responsibility or ability to contend, reference to Gideon
Root / Etymology
A compound of the roots רִיב ('to contend, strive, dispute') and בַּעַל (the Canaanite deity 'Baal' or 'lord'). The name is formed as a verbal clause, likely in an imperfect or jussive construction. Root conveys the idea of taking legal or personal action against another, here referring to the deity Baal.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the book of Judges, יְרֻבַּעַל is given to Gideon after he destroys the altar of Baal, functioning as a polemical name and mocking challenge to Baal's legitimacy (Judges 6:32: 'Let Baal contend against him, for he has broken down his altar'). The use of Baal in personal names was common in earlier Israelite tradition but later diminished, likely due to shifts in attitudes toward Canaanite religion. In later biblical texts (e.g., 2 Samuel), the form יְרֻבְּשֶׁת (Jerubbesheth, 'let shame contend') often replaces יְרֻבַּעַל, likely as a polemical alteration substituting 'shame' (בּשׁת) for 'Baal' as part of later editorial trends to distance Israelite figures from Canaanite associations. Standard English translations use 'Jerubbaal,' though some references may explain the polemical background. See also the development of theophoric elements in Israelite naming practices.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רִיב and בַּעַל; Baal will contend; Jerubbaal, a symbolic name of Gideon; Jerubbaal.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ריב-בעל (r-y-b / b-ʿ-l) — to contend, dispute, strive; lord, Baal (deity)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3378-01 |
יְרֻבַּ֣עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend | 14 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3378-01 |
Judges 6:32 | יְרֻבַּ֣עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 7:1 | יְרֻבַּ֜עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 8:29 | יְרֻבַּ֥עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 8:35 | יְרֻבַּ֖עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 9:1 | יְרֻבַּ֨עַל֙ | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 9:2 | יְרֻבַּ֔עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 9:5 | יְרֻבַּ֛עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 9:5 | יְרֻבַּ֛עַל | yerubaal-2 | HNp |
of Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 9:16 | יְרֻבַּ֣עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |
H3378-01 |
Judges 9:19 | יְרֻבַּ֥עַל | yerubaal | HNp |
Jerubbaal | May Baal contend |