Ethbaal (also known as Ithobaal) was king of the Sidonians (Phoenicia) and father of Jezebel, who became queen in Israel through her marriage to King Ahab. He is known for his role in promoting Baal worship in Israel through his daughter's influence. According to the ancient historian Josephus, he was also a priest of Baal who seized power through a coup.
31As if it were a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he took as his wife Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.
31As if it were a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he took as his wife Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.
As a result of the alliance between Ahab and the house of Ethbaal, a temple for Baal was built in Samaria, and the cult of Baal received official support in the kingdom of Israel.
Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, persecuted and killed the Lord's prophets in Israel, demonstrating the destructive influence of the Phoenician royal house.
4When Jezebel was killing off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and supplied them with bread and water.
13Has my lord not been told what I did when Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD—how I hid a hundred of the LORD's prophets, fifty to a cave, and supplied them with bread and water?
The prophet Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Ba'al and 400 prophets of Asherah who were supported by Jezebel in a dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, which was a direct result of Ethbaal's religious influence.
19Now send word and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table."
21Elijah came before all the people and said, "How long will you keep limping between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." The people said nothing.
40Elijah ordered them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Don't let a single one escape." They seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.