The Hebrew name Baʻal Chânân, represented by H1177, means possessor of grace. It is derived from the words בַּעַל and חָנַן. The name appears 5 times in 5 unique verses and refers to two different individuals in the Old Testament: an Edomite king and an Israelite official.
In the biblical narrative, H1177 is first used to identify an Edomite king. In the genealogies of both Genesis and 1 Chronicles, it is recorded that after King Saul (or Shaul) died, Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead (Genesis 36:38, 1 Chronicles 1:49). His reign concludes with his death, after which Hadad or Hadar succeeded him (Genesis 36:39, 1 Chronicles 1:50). A second individual, an Israelite, is mentioned as Baalhanan the Gederite, who was appointed as an overseer "over the olive trees and the sycomore trees" in the low plains 1 Chronicles 27:28.
Several related words help clarify the context surrounding the individuals named Baʻal Chânân:
- H1908 Hădad (Hadad): This is the name of the king who reigned after Baalhanan the Edomite died 1 Chronicles 1:50. The term identifies the royal successor in the Edomite king list.
- H4191 mûwth (to die): This primitive root is consistently used to mark the end of one king's rule and the beginning of another's. It is explicitly stated that when Baalhanan was dead, a new king reigned (Genesis 36:39, 1 Chronicles 1:50).
- H4427 mâlak (to reign): This word defines the primary action associated with Baalhanan the Edomite. It establishes his status as a king who held the throne before his death (Genesis 36:38, 1 Chronicles 1:49).
The occurrences of H1177 highlight specific themes of order and authority within the scriptural record.
- Kingly Succession: The story of Baalhanan the Edomite is a clear example of the biblical pattern of documenting royal lineage. His entry in the king lists of Genesis and 1 Chronicles emphasizes the historical transfer of power from one ruler to the next (Genesis 36:38, 1 Chronicles 1:49).
- Administrative Stewardship: The mention of Baalhanan the Gederite demonstrates a different form of authority. His role as an overseer of agricultural resources shows the importance of structured management and stewardship within the Israelite kingdom 1 Chronicles 27:28.
- Historical Record: The inclusion of both figures, one a foreign king and the other a domestic official, underscores the detailed nature of the Bible's historical and genealogical accounts.
In summary, H1177 is a proper name, Baʻal Chânân, identifying two distinct men in positions of responsibility. One was an Edomite king whose life is framed by the cycle of reigning and dying, while the other was an Israelite official entrusted with overseeing valuable natural resources. Though its meaning is "possessor of grace," the name is used in contexts that primarily serve to chronicle historical succession and administrative order.
TRV