בַּעַל
ba.al
master
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "ba'al" (H1167G) is a term that conveys the concept of mastery or ownership. Its primary definition is "master," indicating a relationship of control or dominance. This word is part of the semantic domain of Royalty & Authority, suggesting its connection to power, leadership, and social hierarchy. In its 35 occurrences in the Bible, "ba'al" is used in various contexts, including relationships between masters and servants, husbands and wives, and kings and their subjects. This versatility highlights the word's significance in understanding social dynamics and power structures within ancient Israelite society. By examining the usage of "ba'al," we can gain insight into the social norms and expectations surrounding authority, ownership, and responsibility.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
35 total occurrences across the text
if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life,
Proverbs 1:19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
Ecclesiastes 5:11When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?
Ecclesiastes 5:13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.
Isaiah 1:3The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know. My people don’t consider.”
Isaiah 16:8For the fields of Heshbon languish with the vine of Sibmah. The lords of the nations have broken down its choice branches, which reached even to Jazer, which wandered into the wilderness. Its shoots were spread abroad. They passed over the sea.
Exodus 21:28“If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull shall surely be stoned, and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible.
Exodus 21:29But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and this has been testified to its owner, and he has not kept it in, but it has killed a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner shall also be put to death.
Exodus 21:29But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and this has been testified to its owner, and he has not kept it in, but it has killed a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner shall also be put to death.
Exodus 21:34the owner of the pit shall make it good. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall be his.
Exodus 21:34the owner of the pit shall make it good. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall be his.
Exodus 21:36Or if it is known that the bull was in the habit of goring in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall surely pay bull for bull, and the dead animal shall be his own.
Exodus 22:8If the thief isn’t found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out whether or not he has put his hand on his neighbor’s goods.
Exodus 22:11the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
Exodus 22:12But if it is stolen from him, the one who stole shall make restitution to its owner.
Exodus 22:14“If a man borrows anything of his neighbor’s, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.
Exodus 22:15If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease.
Judges 9:6All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together with all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.
Judges 9:7When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice, cried out, and said to them, “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
Joshua 24:11“ ‘You went over the Jordan, and came to Jericho. The men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I delivered them into your hand.
Judges 9:2“Please speak in the ears of all the men of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are seventy persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.”
Judges 9:3His mother’s brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words. Their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, “He is our brother.”
Judges 9:18and you have risen up against my father’s house today and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);
Judges 9:20but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the house of Millo and devour Abimelech.”
Judges 9:20but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the house of Millo and devour Abimelech.”
Judges 9:23Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Judges 9:23Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Judges 9:25The men of Shechem set an ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them; and Abimelech was told about it.
Judges 9:26Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
Judges 9:39Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
Judges 9:46When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.
Judges 9:47Abimelech was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
Judges 9:51But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women of the city fled there, and shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower.
Judges 19:23The man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, “No, my brothers, please don’t act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, don’t do this folly.
Judges 20:5The men of Gibeah rose against me, and surrounded the house by night. They intended to kill me and they raped my concubine, and she is dead.