Ba'al (Canaanite god worshipped by the Israelites)
Canaanite fertility god and rival of Yahweh
Ba'al was the foremost Canaanite god of fertility and storms, widely worshipped in the ancient Near East. The Israelites repeatedly fell into Ba'al worship, which posed the most persistent threat to the worship of the one true God, Yahweh. The prophets, especially Elijah and Hosea, fought fiercely against the Ba'al cult and called the people back to covenant faithfulness.
Avaintapahtumat
Israel Worships Ba'al-Peor
The Israelites were led astray into worshipping Ba'al-Peor in the plains of Moab, which provoked God's anger and brought a severe plague upon the people.
1While Israel was staying at Shittim, the people began to commit sexual immorality with the women of Moab.
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּשִּׁטִּ֑ים וַיָּ֣חֶל הָעָ֔ם לִזְנ֖וֹת אֶל־בְּנ֥וֹת מוֹאָֽב׃
2These women invited the people to the sacrifices offered to their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.
וַתִּקְרֶ֣אןָ לָעָ֔ם לְזִבְחֵ֖י אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ן וַיֹּ֣אכַל הָעָ֔ם וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֖וּ לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽן׃
3So Israel yoked itself to Baal of Peor, and the LORD's anger burned against Israel.
וַיִּצָּ֥מֶד יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְבַ֣עַל פְּע֑וֹר וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
4The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and impale them before the LORD in the open sunlight, so that the LORD's burning anger may turn away from Israel."
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה קַ֚ח אֶת־כָּל־רָאשֵׁ֣י הָעָ֔ם וְהוֹקַ֥ע אוֹתָ֛ם לַיהוָ֖ה נֶ֣גֶד הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ וְיָשֹׁ֛ב חֲר֥וֹן אַף־יְהוָ֖ה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
5So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you put to death the men under you who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor."
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶל־שֹׁפְטֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הִרְגוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֲנָשָׁ֔יו הַנִּצְמָדִ֖ים לְבַ֥עַל פְּעֽוֹר׃
Gideon Tears Down Ba'al's Altar
Gideon, also called Jerubba'al, was commanded by God to tear down his father's altar to Ba'al and cut down the Asherah pole, and to build an altar to the Lord instead.
25That same night the LORD said to him, "Take your father's bull, the second bull, seven years old. Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.
וַיְהִי֮ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַהוּא֒ וַיֹּ֧אמֶר ל֣וֹ יְהוָ֗ה קַ֤ח אֶת־פַּר־הַשּׁוֹר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאָבִ֔יךָ וּפַ֥ר הַשֵּׁנִ֖י שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים וְהָרַסְתָּ֗ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַבַּ֙עַל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאָבִ֔יךָ וְאֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָ֖יו תִּכְרֹֽת׃
26Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on top of this stronghold. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down."
וּבָנִ֨יתָ מִזְבֵּ֜חַ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ עַ֣ל רֹ֧אשׁ הַמָּע֛וֹז הַזֶּ֖ה בַּמַּֽעֲרָכָ֑ה וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֙ אֶת־הַפָּ֣ר הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וְהַעֲלִ֣יתָ עוֹלָ֔ה בַּעֲצֵ֥י הָאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּכְרֹֽת׃
27So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was afraid of his father's household and the men of the town, he did it at night rather than by day.
וַיִּקַּ֨ח גִּדְע֜וֹן עֲשָׂרָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙ מֵֽעֲבָדָ֔יו וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלָ֖יו יְהוָ֑ה וַיְהִ֡י כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר יָרֵא֩ אֶת־בֵּ֨ית אָבִ֜יו וְאֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעִ֛יר מֵעֲשׂ֥וֹת יוֹמָ֖ם וַיַּ֥עַשׂ לָֽיְלָה׃
28When the men of the town got up early in the morning, there was the altar of Baal, torn down, the Asherah pole beside it cut down, and the second bull offered up on the newly built altar.
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֜ימוּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י הָעִיר֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְהִנֵּ֤ה נֻתַּץ֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח הַבַּ֔עַל וְהָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָ֖יו כֹּרָ֑תָה וְאֵת֙ הַפָּ֣ר הַשֵּׁנִ֔י הֹֽעֲלָ֔ה עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ הַבָּנֽוּי׃
29They said to one another, "Who did this thing?" And after they investigated and searched, they said, "Gideon son of Joash did it."
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֔הוּ מִ֥י עָשָׂ֖ה הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַֽיִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ וַיְבַקְשׁ֔וּ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ גִּדְעוֹן֙ בֶּן־יוֹאָ֔שׁ עָשָׂ֖ה הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃
30So the men of the town said to Joash, "Bring out your son. He must die, because he has torn down Baal's altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."
וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י הָעִיר֙ אֶל־יוֹאָ֔שׁ הוֹצֵ֥א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֖ וְיָמֹ֑ת כִּ֤י נָתַץ֙ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֣ח הַבַּ֔עַל וְכִ֥י כָרַ֖ת הָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָֽיו׃
31But Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will you plead Baal's case? Will you rescue him? Whoever argues for him shall be put to death by morning. If Baal is a god, let him defend himself, since it was his altar that was torn down."
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יוֹאָ֡שׁ לְכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁר־עָמְד֨וּ עָלָ֜יו הַאַתֶּ֣ם ׀ תְּרִיב֣וּן לַבַּ֗עַל אִם־אַתֶּם֙ תּוֹשִׁיע֣וּן אוֹת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרִ֥יב ל֛וֹ יוּמַ֖ת עַד־הַבֹּ֑קֶר אִם־אֱלֹהִ֥ים הוּא֙ יָ֣רֶב ל֔וֹ כִּ֥י נָתַ֖ץ אֶֽת־מִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃
32So that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, meaning, "Let Baal contend with him," because he tore down Baal's altar.
וַיִּקְרָא־ל֥וֹ בַיּוֹם־הַה֖וּא יְרֻבַּ֣עַל לֵאמֹ֑ר יָ֤רֶב בּוֹ֙ הַבַּ֔עַל כִּ֥י נָתַ֖ץ אֶֽת־מִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃ פ
Elijah's Confrontation on Mount Carmel
The prophet Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal to a dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, where the Lord's fire fell from heaven and proved that Yahweh is the true God, while Baal remained silent.
17When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, "So it's you—the troubler of Israel!"
וַיְהִ֛י כִּרְא֥וֹת אַחְאָ֖ב אֶת־אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אַחְאָב֙ אֵלָ֔יו הַאַתָּ֥ה זֶ֖ה עֹכֵ֥ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
18"I have not troubled Israel," Elijah replied, "but you and your father's house have, by abandoning the LORD's commandments and following the Baals.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לֹ֤א עָכַ֙רְתִּי֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּ֥י אִם־אַתָּ֖ה וּבֵ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ בּֽ͏ַעַזָבְכֶם֙ אֶת־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ אַחֲרֵ֥י הַבְּעָלִֽים׃
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."
וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁלַ֨ח קְבֹ֥ץ אֵלַ֛י אֶת־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶל־הַ֣ר הַכַּרְמֶ֑ל וְאֶת־נְבִיאֵ֨י הַבַּ֜עַל אַרְבַּ֧ע מֵא֣וֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁ֗ים וּנְבִיאֵ֤י הָֽאֲשֵׁרָה֙ אַרְבַּ֣ע מֵא֔וֹת אֹכְלֵ֖י שֻׁלְחַ֥ן אִיזָֽבֶל׃
20So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח אַחְאָ֖ב בְּכָל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּקְבֹּ֥ץ אֶת־הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים אֶל־הַ֥ר הַכַּרְמֶֽל׃
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.
וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ אֶל־כָּל־הָעָ֗ם וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ עַד־מָתַ֞י אַתֶּ֣ם פֹּסְחִים֮ עַל־שְׁתֵּ֣י הַסְּעִפִּים֒ אִם־יְהוָ֤ה הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ לְכ֣וּ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְאִם־הַבַּ֖עַל לְכ֣וּ אַחֲרָ֑יו וְלֹֽא־עָנ֥וּ הָעָ֛ם אֹת֖וֹ דָּבָֽר׃
22Then Elijah said to the people, "I am the only prophet of the LORD left, while Baal has four hundred fifty prophets.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלִיָּ֙הוּ֙ אֶל־הָעָ֔ם אֲנִ֞י נוֹתַ֧רְתִּי נָבִ֛יא לַיהוָ֖ה לְבַדִּ֑י וּנְבִיאֵ֣י הַבַּ֔עַל אַרְבַּע־מֵא֥וֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁ֖ים אִֽישׁ׃
23Let two bulls be given to us. Let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, and I will put no fire to it either.
וְיִתְּנוּ־לָ֜נוּ שְׁנַ֣יִם פָּרִ֗ים וְיִבְחֲר֣וּ לָהֶם֩ הַפָּ֨ר הָאֶחָ֜ד וִֽינַתְּחֻ֗הוּ וְיָשִׂ֙ימוּ֙ עַל־הָ֣עֵצִ֔ים וְאֵ֖שׁ לֹ֣א יָשִׂ֑ימוּ וַאֲנִ֞י אֶעֱשֶׂ֣ה ׀ אֶת־הַפָּ֣ר הָאֶחָ֗ד וְנָֽתַתִּי֙ עַל־הָ֣עֵצִ֔ים וְאֵ֖שׁ לֹ֥א אָשִֽׂים׃
24Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers with fire—he is God." And all the people answered, "That is a good plan."
וּקְרָאתֶ֞ם בְּשֵׁ֣ם אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם וֽ͏ַאֲנִי֙ אֶקְרָ֣א בְשֵׁם־יְהוָ֔ה וְהָיָ֧ה הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲנֶ֥ה בָאֵ֖שׁ ה֣וּא הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיַּ֧עַן כָּל־הָעָ֛ם וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ ט֥וֹב הַדָּבָֽר׃
25Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it."
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ לִנְבִיאֵ֣י הַבַּ֗עַל בַּחֲר֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם הַפָּ֤ר הָֽאֶחָד֙ וַעֲשׂ֣וּ רִאשֹׁנָ֔ה כִּ֥י אַתֶּ֖ם הָרַבִּ֑ים וְקִרְאוּ֙ בְּשֵׁ֣ם אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖שׁ לֹ֥א תָשִֽׂימוּ׃
26So they took the bull that was given them and prepared it, and they called on the name of Baal from morning until noon: "Baal, answer us!" But there was no sound and no answer. And they danced around the altar they had made.
וַ֠יִּקְחוּ אֶת־הַפָּ֨ר אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣ן לָהֶם֮ וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ֒ וַיִּקְרְא֣וּ בְשֵׁם־הַ֠בַּעַל מֵהַבֹּ֨קֶר וְעַד־הַצָּהֳרַ֤יִם לֵאמֹר֙ הַבַּ֣עַל עֲנֵ֔נוּ וְאֵ֥ין ק֖וֹל וְאֵ֣ין עֹנֶ֑ה וַֽיְפַסְּח֔וּ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָֽׂה׃
27At noon Elijah began to mock them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god. Perhaps he is lost in thought, or has stepped aside, or is away on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened."
וַיְהִ֨י בַֽצָּהֳרַ֜יִם וַיְהַתֵּ֧ל בָּהֶ֣ם אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ קִרְא֤וּ בְקוֹל־גָּדוֹל֙ כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֣ים ה֔וּא כִּ֣י שִׂ֧יחַ וְכִֽי־שִׂ֛יג ל֖וֹ וְכִֽי־דֶ֣רֶךְ ל֑וֹ אוּלַ֛י יָשֵׁ֥ן ה֖וּא וְיִקָֽץ׃
28So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until the blood flowed over them.
וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֙ בְּק֣וֹל גָּד֔וֹל וַיִּתְגֹּֽדְדוּ֙ כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם בַּחֲרָב֖וֹת וּבָֽרְמָחִ֑ים עַד־שְׁפָךְ־דָּ֖ם עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
29Midday passed, and they went on with their frenzied prophesying until the time for the evening offering. But there was no sound, no answer, no response.
וַֽיְהִי֙ כַּעֲבֹ֣ר הַֽצָּהֳרַ֔יִם וַיִּֽתְנַבְּא֔וּ עַ֖ד לַעֲל֣וֹת הַמִּנְחָ֑ה וְאֵֽין־ק֥וֹל וְאֵין־עֹנֶ֖ה וְאֵ֥ין קָֽשֶׁב׃
30Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They all came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which had been torn down.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלִיָּ֤הוּ לְכָל־הָעָם֙ גְּשׁ֣וּ אֵלַ֔י וַיִּגְּשׁ֥וּ כָל־הָעָ֖ם אֵלָ֑יו וַיְרַפֵּ֛א אֶת־מִזְבַּ֥ח יְהוָ֖ה הֶהָרֽוּס׃
31Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Israel shall be your name."
וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ שְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ אֲבָנִ֔ים כְּמִסְפַּ֖ר שִׁבְטֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־יַעֲקֹ֑ב אֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה דְבַר־יְהוָ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִהְיֶ֥ה שְׁמֶֽךָ׃
32With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and around it he dug a trench large enough to hold two measures of seed.
וַיִּבְנֶ֧ה אֶת־הָאֲבָנִ֛ים מִזְבֵּ֖חַ בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה וַיַּ֣עַשׂ תְּעָלָ֗ה כְּבֵית֙ סָאתַ֣יִם זֶ֔רַע סָבִ֖יב לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
33He arranged the wood, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood.
וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ אֶת־הָֽעֵצִ֑ים וַיְנַתַּח֙ אֶת־הַפָּ֔ר וַיָּ֖שֶׂם עַל־הָעֵצִֽים׃
34Then he said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he said, and they did it a third time.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מִלְא֨וּ אַרְבָּעָ֤ה כַדִּים֙ מַ֔יִם וְיִֽצְק֥וּ עַל־הָעֹלָ֖ה וְעַל־הָעֵצִ֑ים וַיֹּ֤אמֶר שְׁנוּ֙ וַיִּשְׁנ֔וּ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר שַׁלֵּ֖שׁוּ וַיְשַׁלֵּֽשׁוּ׃
35The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.
וַיֵּלְכ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם סָבִ֖יב לַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וְגַ֥ם אֶת־הַתְּעָלָ֖ה מִלֵּא־מָֽיִם׃
36At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet stepped forward and prayed: "LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּעֲל֣וֹת הַמִּנְחָ֗ה וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ אֵלִיָּ֣הוּ הַנָּבִיא֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ יְהוָ֗ה אֱלֹהֵי֙ אַבְרָהָם֙ יִצְחָ֣ק וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַיּ֣וֹם יִוָּדַ֗ע כִּֽי־אַתָּ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַאֲנִ֣י עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ *ובדבריך **וּבִדְבָרְךָ֣ עָשִׂ֔יתִי אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
37Answer me, LORD, answer me, so that this people may know that you, LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back again."
עֲנֵ֤נִי יְהוָה֙ עֲנֵ֔נִי וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה כִּֽי־אַתָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְאַתָּ֛ה הֲסִבֹּ֥תָ אֶת־לִבָּ֖ם אֲחֹרַנִּֽית׃
38Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench.
וַתִּפֹּ֣ל אֵשׁ־יְהוָ֗ה וַתֹּ֤אכַל אֶת־הָֽעֹלָה֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣עֵצִ֔ים וְאֶת־הָאֲבָנִ֖ים וְאֶת־הֶעָפָ֑ר וְאֶת־הַמַּ֥יִם אֲשֶׁר־בַּתְּעָלָ֖ה לִחֵֽכָה׃
39When all the people saw it, they fell facedown and cried, "The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!"
וַיַּרְא֙ כָּל־הָעָ֔ם וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ עַל־פְּנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ יְהוָה֙ ה֣וּא הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים יְהוָ֖ה ה֥וּא הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃
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.
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ אֵלִיָּ֨הוּ לָהֶ֜ם תִּפְשׂ֣וּ ׀ אֶת־נְבִיאֵ֣י הַבַּ֗עַל אִ֛ישׁ אַל־יִמָּלֵ֥ט מֵהֶ֖ם וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂ֑וּם וַיּוֹרִדֵ֤ם אֵלִיָּ֙הוּ֙ אֶל־נַ֣חַל קִישׁ֔וֹן וַיִּשְׁחָטֵ֖ם שָֽׁם׃
Jezebel Promotes Baal Worship in Israel
Queen Jezebel, who was married to King Ahab, systematically introduced Baal worship into the northern kingdom of Israel and persecuted the Lord's prophets.
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.
וַיְהִי֙ הֲנָקֵ֣ל לֶכְתּ֔וֹ בְּחַטֹּ֖אות יָרָבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֑ט וַיִּקַּ֨ח אִשָּׁ֜ה אֶת־אִיזֶ֗בֶל בַּת־אֶתְבַּ֙עַל֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ צִידֹנִ֔ים וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֣ד אֶת־הַבַּ֔עַל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לֽוֹ׃
32He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria.
וַיָּ֥קֶם מִזְבֵּ֖חַ לַבָּ֑עַל בֵּ֣ית הַבַּ֔עַל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָ֖ה בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃
33Ahab also made an Asherah pole. He did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ אַחְאָ֖ב אֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה וַיּ֨וֹסֶף אַחְאָ֜ב לַעֲשׂ֗וֹת לְהַכְעִיס֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ אֲלֹהֵי[t] יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִכֹּ[t]ל מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ לְפָנָֽיו׃
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.
וַיְהִי֙ בְּהַכְרִ֣ית אִיזֶ֔בֶל אֵ֖ת נְבִיאֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיִּקַּ֨ח עֹבַדְיָ֜הוּ מֵאָ֣ה נְבִאִ֗ים וַֽיַּחְבִּיאֵ֞ם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִישׁ֙ בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה וְכִלְכְּלָ֖ם לֶ֥חֶם וָמָֽיִם׃
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?
הֲלֹֽא־הֻגַּ֤ד לַֽאדֹנִי֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֔יתִי בַּהֲרֹ֣ג אִיזֶ֔בֶל אֵ֖ת נְבִיאֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וָאַחְבִּא֩ מִנְּבִיאֵ֨י יְהוָ֜ה מֵ֣אָה אִ֗ישׁ חֲמִשִּׁ֨ים חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִישׁ֙ בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה וָאֲכַלְכְּלֵ֖ם לֶ֥חֶם וָמָֽיִם׃
Jehu's Destruction of the Baal Worshippers
King Jehu carried out a cunning plan to gather all the Baal worshippers in the temple of Baal and destroy them, and he demolished the pillar of Baal and the temple.
18Then Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little; Jehu will serve him much.
וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץ יֵהוּא֙ אֶת־כָּל־הָעָ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אַחְאָ֕ב עָבַ֥ד אֶת־הַבַּ֖עַל מְעָ֑ט יֵה֖וּא יַעַבְדֶ֥נּוּ הַרְבֵּֽה׃
19Now summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants and all his priests. Let no one be missing, for I am holding a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live." But Jehu was acting deceitfully, in order to destroy the servants of Baal.
וְעַתָּ֣ה כָל־נְבִיאֵ֣י הַבַּ֡עַל כָּל־עֹבְדָ֣יו וְכָל־כֹּהֲנָיו֩ קִרְא֨וּ אֵלַ֜י אִ֣ישׁ אַל־יִפָּקֵ֗ד כִּי֩ זֶ֨בַח גָּד֥וֹל לִי֙ לַבַּ֔עַל כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־יִפָּקֵ֖ד לֹ֣א יִֽחְיֶ֑ה וְיֵהוּא֙ עָשָׂ֣ה בְעָקְבָּ֔ה לְמַ֥עַן הַאֲבִ֖יד אֶת־עֹבְדֵ֥י הַבָּֽעַל׃
20Jehu said, "Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal." And they announced it.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יֵה֗וּא קַדְּשׁ֧וּ עֲצָרָ֛ה לַבַּ֖עַל וַיִּקְרָֽאוּ׃
21Then Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; not one stayed away. They crowded into the temple of Baal until it was filled from wall to wall.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יֵהוּא֙ בְּכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ כָּל־עֹבְדֵ֣י הַבַּ֔עַל וְלֹֽא־נִשְׁאַ֥ר אִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־בָ֑א וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית הַבַּ֔עַל וַיִּמָּלֵ֥א בֵית־הַבַּ֖עַל פֶּ֥ה לָפֶֽה׃
22Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, "Bring out robes for all the servants of Baal." So he brought out robes for them.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־הַמֶּלְתָּחָ֔ה הוֹצֵ֣א לְב֔וּשׁ לְכֹ֖ל עֹבְדֵ֣י הַבָּ֑עַל וַיֹּצֵ֥א לָהֶ֖ם הַמַּלְבּֽוּשׁ׃
23Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, "Search and make sure that no servant of the LORD is here among you—only servants of Baal."
וַיָּבֹ֥א יֵה֛וּא וִיהוֹנָדָ֥ב בֶּן־רֵכָ֖ב בֵּ֣ית הַבָּ֑עַל וַיֹּ֜אמֶר לְעֹבְדֵ֣י הַבַּ֗עַל חַפְּשׂ֤וּ וּרְאוּ֙ פֶּן־יֶשׁ־פֹּ֤ה עִמָּכֶם֙ מֵעַבְדֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה כִּ֛י אִם־עֹבְדֵ֥י הַבַּ֖עַל לְבַדָּֽם׃
24So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside, and he had told them, "If any man lets one of these escape whom I am placing in your hands, his own life will be forfeit."
וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת זְבָחִ֣ים וְעֹל֑וֹת וְיֵה֞וּא שָׂם־ל֤וֹ בַחוּץ֙ שְׁמֹנִ֣ים אִ֔ישׁ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הָאִ֤ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִמָּלֵט֙ מִן־הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲנִי֙ מֵבִ֣יא עַל־יְדֵיכֶ֔ם נַפְשׁ֖וֹ תַּ֥חַת נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃
25As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, Jehu ordered the guards and the officers, "Go in and strike them down; let no one escape." So they cut them down with the sword. Then the guards and officers threw the bodies out and went on into the inner shrine of the temple of Baal.[^1]
[^1]: The Hebrew word here normally means "city"; the sense of the phrase is uncertain, and it may refer to an inner room or citadel of the temple.
וַיְהִ֞י כְּכַלֹּת֣וֹ ׀ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת הָעֹלָ֗ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יֵ֠הוּא לָרָצִ֨ים וְלַשָּׁלִשִׁ֜ים בֹּ֤אוּ הַכּוּם֙ אִ֣ישׁ אַל־יֵצֵ֔א וַיַּכּ֖וּם לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב וַיַּשְׁלִ֗כוּ הָֽרָצִים֙ וְהַשָּׁ֣לִשִׁ֔ים וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ עַד־עִ֥יר בֵּית־הַבָּֽעַל׃
26They brought out the sacred pillars of the temple of Baal and burned them.
וַיֹּצִ֛אוּ אֶת־מַצְּב֥וֹת בֵּית־הַבַּ֖עַל וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֽוּהָ׃
27They tore down the sacred pillar of Baal, demolished the temple of Baal, and made it into a latrine—and so it remains to this day.
וַֽיִּתְּצ֔וּ אֵ֖ת מַצְּבַ֣ת הַבָּ֑עַל וַֽיִּתְּצוּ֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית הַבַּ֔עַל וַיְשִׂמֻ֥הוּ *למחראות **לְמֽוֹצָא֖וֹת עַד־הַיּֽוֹם׃
28So Jehu wiped out Baal worship from Israel.
וַיַּשְׁמֵ֥ד יֵה֛וּא אֶת־הַבַּ֖עַל מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Hosea's Condemnation of Baal Worship
The prophet Hosea used the image of an unfaithful marriage to describe Israel's betrayal of God through Baal worship, and prophesied that God would remove the names of Baal from Israel's mouth.
8Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns; I will wall her in, and she will not find her paths.
לָכֵ֛ן הִנְנִי־שָׂ֥ךְ אֶת־דַּרְכֵּ֖ךְ בַּסִּירִ֑ים וְגָֽדַרְתִּי֙ אֶת־גְּדֵרָ֔הּ וּנְתִיבוֹתֶ֖יהָ לֹ֥א תִמְצָֽא׃
13I will put an end to all her rejoicing—her festivals, her new moons, her sabbaths, all her appointed feasts.
וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי֙ כָּל־מְשׂוֹשָׂ֔הּ חַגָּ֖הּ חָדְשָׁ֣הּ וְשַׁבַּתָּ֑הּ וְכֹ֖ל מוֹעֲדָֽהּ׃
16Therefore I am going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her heart.
לָכֵ֗ן הִנֵּ֤ה אָֽנֹכִי֙ מְפַתֶּ֔יהָ וְהֹֽלַכְתִּ֖יהָ הַמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְדִבַּרְתִּ֖י עַל[c] לִבָּֽהּ׃
17There I will give her back her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will answer me as in the days of her youth, as on the day she came up out of the land of Egypt.
וְנָתַ֨תִּי לָ֤הּ אֶת־כְּרָמֶ֙יהָ֙ מִשָּׁ֔ם וְאֶת־עֵ֥מֶק עָכ֖וֹר לְפֶ֣תַח תִּקְוָ֑ה וְעָ֤נְתָה שָּׁ֙מָּה֙ כִּימֵ֣י נְעוּרֶ֔יהָ וִּכְי֖וֹם עֲלֹתָ֥הּ מֵאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרָֽיִם׃ ס
Mainittu Raamatussa (33)
Tuomarien kirja 2:13Tuomarien kirja 6:30Tuomarien kirja 6:31Tuomarien kirja 6:32Tuomarien kirja 8:331. Kuningasten kirja 16:311. Kuningasten kirja 16:321. Kuningasten kirja 18:181. Kuningasten kirja 18:191. Kuningasten kirja 18:211. Kuningasten kirja 18:221. Kuningasten kirja 18:251. Kuningasten kirja 18:261. Kuningasten kirja 18:402. Kuningasten kirja 10:182. Kuningasten kirja 10:202. Kuningasten kirja 10:212. Kuningasten kirja 10:232. Kuningasten kirja 10:252. Kuningasten kirja 10:282. Kuningasten kirja 21:31. Aikakirja 5:51. Aikakirja 8:301. Aikakirja 9:362. Aikakirja 17:32. Aikakirja 23:172. Aikakirja 24:72. Aikakirja 33:3Jeremia 7:9Jeremia 19:5Jeremia 32:35Hoosea 13:1Roomalaiskirje 11:4