Baal: biblical meaning, symbolism and modern Baals
In the Old Testament, and particularly in the books of Kings, the god Baal is mentioned several times. But who is Baal , and why does the Bible also mention baals? How can this ancient deity still be of interest to us today?
Who is Baal in the Bible?
Baal is a Phoenician and Canaanite divinity. God of fertility and storms, he was a very popular god in ancient times, and traces of his cult can be found in many places. He was considered to control the forces of nature. When the prophet Elijah wants to challenge the prophets of Baal in the first book of Kings, he proposes to see which of their god or his is capable of lighting a pyre by sending fire into it. (1 Kings 18:22-24
So Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the L ord , and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Give us two young bulls. Let them choose one, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood, but start no fire. I shall prepare the other and place it on the wood, but shall start no fire. You shall call upon the name of your gods, and I will call upon the name of the L ord . The God who answers with fire is God.” All the people answered, “We agree!”
Baal is mentioned many times in the Old Testament:
Sometimes in the singular to evoke this particular divinity, linked to storms,wind, rain and from then on to agricultural prosperity: "(1 Kings 16:31-33)
It was not enough for him to follow the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. He even married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal, and worship him. Ahab set up an altar to Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria, and also made an asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the L ord , the God of Israel, to anger than any of the kings of Israel before him.
Sometimes in the plural - baals - as a generic name for foreign gods, idols and false gods. (Find more Bible verses on baal and baals)
The goddess Astarte is sometimes associated with the god Baal; she is more closely linked with fertility, love and war. "The sons of Israel began again to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They worshipped Baalim and Ashtaroth, the gods of Aram, Sidon and Moab, the gods of the sons of Ammon and the gods of the Philistines. They forsook the Lord and served him no more" (Judges 10:6
The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the L ord , serving the Baals and Ashtarts, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. Since they had abandoned the L ord and would not serve him,
In every case, the god Baal or "the Baals", in the Bible, are cited in opposition to Yahweh, the god of the Hebrews, the god of Abraham, Moses and Jacob, the living god who freed them from Pharaoh's yoke.(2 Chronicles 17:3-4)
What does Baal represent? What does it symbolize?
Beyond the ancient divinity, the mention of baals symbolizes different things in the Bible:
- Idolatry, or entrusting one's destiny to material gods, false gods.
- Infidelity, turning away from God and preferring other gods, forgetting all the blessings received from God.
- Rebellion against God by worshipping another god and thus breaking one of the 10 Commandments: "You shall have no other gods before me"(Exodus 20:3)
The word baal means "master" and thus designates the one to whom one belongs. The story of Eli's challenge on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) illustrates how we can find ourselves enslaved to illusions, with Baal representing illusory deities.
This disloyalty is not without consequences, since it leads to the moral and spiritual corruption of the Hebrew people, as denounced by the prophets Hosea and Jeremiah. This corruption is at the root of wars, conflicts and disasters for the people of Israel.
Who are the Baals in our lives today?
Who are our masters?
It wasn't just the kings of antiquity who worshipped Baal. In every age, we are tempted to prefer false gods to God: fame, power, money, comfort, physical appearance...
We can also find ourselves in situations of emotional dependence where we place the other as our lord and master, forgetting our own freedom; this can be the case in certain relationships, be they romantic, friendly, family or professional.
Sometimes without even realizing it, we begin to "belong" to these Baals, sacrificing many aspects of our lives to them, starting with our relationship with God, which then takes on a secondary, even accessory role.
Jesus came to free us from all our false idols: (Matthew 11:28-30)
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Today, let's try to answer the question Elijah asked the Hebrews: (1 Kings 18:21)
Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him.
A few guidelines for identifying our own "Baals"
- Where do I place my priorities and what do I commit myself to? Do my work or hobbies take priority over my spiritual life?
- What are my values and beliefs? Are they in line with the Christian faith?
- How do I relate to things? Am I overly attached to material possessions?
- How am I easily influenced? Do I easily form opinions based on what I see and hear in the media, on social networks...?
Follow the Lord with Hozana
Hozana, with its many prayer tracks, helps us to give a concrete answer to the question posed by the prophet Elijah:
- By shedding light on our own Baals and fighting them, with - By better discovering who our Lord is, the one who gives us back our inner freedom, with or this to get to know Jesus better.
