Gur-baal
Gur-baal is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Transjordan in modern-day Israel. Known today as Buseira. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Gur-baal appears only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 26:7, in the account of King Uzziah of Judah's military campaigns. The text states that God helped Uzziah "against the Philistines, against the Arabs who lived in Gur-baal, and against the Meunites." Uzziah's reign (c. 792–740 BC) was marked by significant military expansion and economic prosperity in Judah. His campaigns against the Arabs of Gur-baal were part of a broader assertion of Judean power over the surrounding peoples, including the Philistines to the west and various Arabian and Edomite groups to the south and east. The name Gur-baal, meaning "sojourn of Baal" or possibly "the young one of Baal," suggests a settlement associated with Baal worship among the Arab inhabitants. The episode is presented as evidence of divine favor upon Uzziah, whose military successes are attributed to God's assistance rather than mere human military prowess.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The identification of Gur-baal remains disputed among scholars. Some associate it with Buseira in modern Jordan, ancient Bozrah of Edom, while others place it in the Negev or northern Arabia. The site's association with Arab populations in 2 Chronicles 26:7 suggests a location along the caravan routes of the Transjordanian highlands or the northern Hejaz. Buseira (ancient Bozrah) has been excavated and shows significant Iron Age occupation, including evidence of Edomite administration. However, the connection to Gur-baal specifically remains tenuous. The broader region in which the site is placed was well-traversed by Arabian tribes who maintained contact with Judah throughout the monarchic period.
Verse Appearances (1)
2Chr
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →