בַּעֲלִיס (ba.a.lis)
ba.a.lis
Baalis
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Baalis refers to a specific historical figure, the king of the Ammonites during the final years of Judah’s monarchy. This Hebrew proper noun appears only once in the entire biblical text, found in Jeremiah 40:14. It identifies the ruler who was active at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction by Nebuchadnezzar.
Etymologically, the name likely means "lord of the banner" or "in causing joy," reflecting common naming conventions that invoked divine patronage or positive attributes. While Baalis is not a central character in the theological narrative, his mention anchors the story of Gedaliah’s assassination in realpolitik. The Ammonite king provided support to the conspirators who killed the governor appointed by Babylon, illustrating the complex tribal and political tensions that followed the fall of Jerusalem.
Because this name occurs in such a narrow historical window, it serves as a precise marker for readers tracking the movements of neighboring nations during Judah’s collapse. It reminds us that the biblical account is embedded in concrete history, where foreign rulers like Baalis played decisive roles in the fate of Israel’s remnant.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Baalis appears in a single, tense moment in Jeremiah 40:14. He is the king of Ammon who secretly supported Ishmael against Gedaliah, the governor left to lead the remnant after Jerusalem fell. This brief mention shows how political alliances and fear shaped the lives of those trying to survive the collapse of their nation.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God’s people often live in complex, uncertain times. The biblical narrative does not shy away from the messy realities of power struggles and broken trust. It invites you to see Scripture as grounded in real history, where ordinary and extraordinary events alike unfold under God’s sovereign watch.
Even when leaders fail or enemies conspire, the story points to a larger purpose. You can find comfort in knowing that God remains present in the chaos, guiding His people through difficult transitions with wisdom and care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Baalis1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּעֲלִ֣יס\׀1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 40:14
and said to him, “Do you know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam didn’t believe them.
This verse identifies Baalis as the Ammonite king who orchestrated Ishmael’s plot, revealing the political betrayal that led to Gedaliah’s assassination.