אֶתְבַּעַל
𐤀𐤕𐤁𐤏𐤋
Etebaal
H856 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name designating a Phoenician king, most notably the king of Sidon mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, whose daughter, Ittobaal (Jezebel), married the Israelite king Ahab; understood as 'with Baal' or 'Baal is with him.' In biblical narrative, the name identifies a historical political figure from Phoenicia and signifies an association or relationship with the Phoenician deity Baal. Semantic range is restricted to the personal name of this specific Phoenician ruler.
Semantic Range
proper name of a Phoenician king; theophoric name meaning 'with Baal'; designation for Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians
Root / Etymology
From the prefix preposition אֵת (et, probably signifying 'with') and בַּעַל (ba‘al, 'Baal' or 'lord'), forming a theophoric name common in West Semitic onomastics. The name literally means 'with Baal' or 'Baal is with him.' Both components are well-attested in Semitic personal names. Not derived from a native Israelite verbal root, but reflecting broader West Semitic naming patterns.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֶתְבַּעַל is attested in 1 Kings 16:31 as the father of Jezebel and king of the Sidonians (Phoenicians) in the ninth century BCE. In this context, the name illustrates typical Phoenician theophoric naming practices, with the inclusion of the deity's name (Baal) indicating personal or dynastic association with a major regional god. The use of the preposition 'et' ('with') as a theophoric element occurs with other West Semitic names, paralleling constructions like 'with El' or 'with Hadad' elsewhere. This name is not used for Israelite/Judahite figures and signals ethnic, cultural, and religious identity outside Israel. Some English translations render the name as 'Ethbaal,' while its meaning is sometimes obscured in translation because Baal became a polemical figure in later Israelite religion. The name's significance is largely historical and cultural, marking the intersection of Phoenician and Israelite/Judahite history. Note: Later English usage sometimes assimilates Phoenician and Israelite identities, but the biblical text keeps them distinct.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אֵת and בַּעַל; with Baal; Ethbaal, a Phoenician king; Ethbaal.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
את + בעל (ʾ-t + b-ʿ-l) — with, accompaniment; lord, master, Baal
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H856-01 |
אֶתְבַּ֨עַל֙ | etebaal | HNp |
of Ethbaal | With-Baal | Etebaal | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H856-01 |
1 Kings 16:31 | אֶתְבַּ֨עַל֙ | etebaal | HNp |
of Ethbaal | With-Baal | Etebaal |