גּוּר־בַּעַל
Gur-Baal, a place in Arabia
Definition
Gur-Baal is a proper noun referring to a specific location in Arabia, mentioned only once in the Old Testament. The name means 'dwelling of Baal' or 'sojourn of Baal,' indicating it was a site associated with the worship of the Canaanite deity Baal. The biblical reference in 2 Chronicles 26:7 notes that God helped King Uzziah of Judah against the inhabitants of Gur-Baal, suggesting it was a place of military or political significance, likely under Philistine or Arabian control. There are no other biblical passages that provide additional details about its geography or history.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 26:7. It appears in a historical narrative describing the military successes of King Uzziah, where God assisted him in battles against various enemies, including those in Gur-Baal. The context is purely geographical, identifying a place where conflict occurred, with no further elaboration on the nature of the site or its inhabitants in other books.
Etymology
The name Gur-Baal is a compound of two Hebrew words: 'gur' (גּוּר, H1481), meaning 'to sojourn,' 'dwell as a foreigner,' or 'dwelling place,' and 'baal' (בַּעַל, H1168), referring to the Canaanite storm and fertility god Baal, or sometimes meaning 'lord' or 'master.' Thus, the name literally translates to 'dwelling of Baal,' likely denoting a settlement or sanctuary dedicated to this pagan deity.
Semantic Range
The mention of Gur-Baal, though brief, highlights the ongoing spiritual conflict in the Old Testament between the worship of Yahweh and the Canaanite god Baal. Its inclusion in 2 Chronicles 26:7 underscores God's sovereignty in granting military victory to a faithful king (Uzziah) over pagan territories, reinforcing themes of divine assistance against idolatry. Understanding this name enriches Bible reading by reminding readers of the pervasive cultural idolatry that Israel and Judah confronted, and God's power in those confrontations.
In its original setting, Gur-Baal would have been understood as a place associated with Baal worship, a common religious practice among Canaanites and neighboring peoples. Baal was seen as a powerful deity controlling rain and fertility, and sites named for him were likely centers of cultic activity. For the biblical author, referencing such a place served to contrast the true God of Israel with foreign gods, emphasizing Yahweh's supremacy in granting victory over pagan strongholds.
No direct synonyms as a proper place name, but related terms include: Baal (בַּעַל, H1168) — the deity name itself; and Gur (גּוּר, H1481) — the root meaning 'dwelling' or 'sojourning.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →