Balsam (Hastings' Dictionary)

See Balm. BALTASAR (BaXracrip), the Greek form of Bel- shazzar in Dn 5 etc., Bar 1"", and alsn of Belte- shazzar, Un 4, etc. Clearly, the names are confused in ignorance ; for while Vulg. renders both names promiscuously by Baltassar, Syr. renders both by Blitshatsar. Codex A in Dn presents Kapraaap. J. T. Marshall. BAMAH (Ezk 20-'>') is the Heb. name for 'High Place ' (wh. see), and is retained by the EV in the second half of this verse on account of tlie etymology given in the first half.

It is obviously a contemptuous derivation that the prophet means to suggest ; but the precise point of it cannot be clearly ascertained. The word is resolved into its syllables, and these appear to be identified re- spectively with two words meaning ' come ' and ' what ' ; thus : ' What (Mah) is the Ba-mah where- unto ye come (Ba) ?

' Ewald and others hav^ supposed that the verb ' come ' (or ' enter ') is used in an obscene sense, with an allusion to the immoral practices associated with the worship at these sanctuaries (cf. Am 2', Hos 4'") ; but this view, even if adopted, does not remove the obscurity of the verse. A parallel may be found in the derivation of the word for ' manna' in Ex 16'^ (see KV). J. Skinner. BAMOTH (n'C3), Nu 21'»» a station in the journey from the Arnon to the.

jordan, probably the same as Bamoth-haal, Nu 22" RVm ('the high places of Baal ' AV, RV), to which Balak brought Balaam. Bamoth-baal is mentioned in the list of cities belonging to Reuben (Jos 13") along with Beth-baal-meon, and both being seats of Baal- worship they may be included in ' the high places ' of Is 15- ; but the reference here is doubtful (cf. Dillmann's note on the verse in his Isaiah). rD3 ni, mentioned on the Moabite Stone, 1. 27, as restored by Mesha, may be the same as Bamoth.

For its position see ExoDUs, Route of. A. T. Chapman. BAN (A mv, B TAatviv), 1 Es S^".— The head of a family which could not trace their descent from Israel at the return under Zerub. The passage is corrupt. The corresp. name in the lists of Ezr 2"" Nell 7°^ is Tobiah ; but in both of the can. books some MSS of the LXX insert a name viol Boid, of w hich Ban may be the equivalent. H. St. J. Thackeray. BANAIAS (Boralas) 1 Es 9» = Benaiah Ezr 10«.