מְרִי בַעַל (me.ri va.al)
me.ri va.al
Merib-baal
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 proper noun Merib-baal identifies a specific figure in the biblical narrative: the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. This name appears primarily in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles, serving as an alternative designation for the man more commonly known as Mephibosheth in the books of Samuel.
Linguistically, the name translates to "Baal is my advocate" or "contender for Baal." This etymology reflects a religious context where Baal was recognized as a deity capable of defending or pleading a person’s case. The existence of this name highlights the complex religious landscape of early Israel, where family names preserved references to local deities even as the worship of Yahweh became central.
The variation between Merib-baal and Mephibosheth ("shameless" or "one who puts shame on") is significant. Scholars suggest that later scribes may have altered the name to remove the reference to Baal, reflecting a growing sensitivity to idolatry in Judean tradition. Thus, these two forms of the same name offer a glimpse into how biblical texts were shaped by theological concerns over time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Merib-baal appears in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles as the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. This brief mention preserves a family line that might otherwise have been lost to history. It reminds us that God keeps track of every individual, even those who lived long ago and whose stories are only hinted at in ancient records.
Interestingly, this same person is called Mephibosheth in the books of Samuel. The change from a name referencing Baal to one removing that reference shows how later writers handled sensitive religious terms. This detail highlights the careful way biblical texts were preserved and edited over time to reflect changing theological views.
For your faith, this word points to the reliability of Scripture. Even small details like name variations confirm that these records are not fictional but carefully maintained histories. You can trust that God remembers His people across generations, just as He remembered Merib-baal’s lineage.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Meri-1×
- -baal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מְרִי\־1×
- בַ֖עַל1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 9:40
The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal. Merib-baal became the father of Micah.
This verse explicitly identifies Merib-baal as the son of Jonathan, linking him directly to King Saul's family line in a genealogical context.