The Hebrew word Bᵉʻelyâdâʻ, represented by H1182, is a proper name given to an Israelite. It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. The name itself is a compound, derived from the words for "Baal" and "known," carrying the meaning Baal has known.
The single appearance of H1182 occurs in the Old Testament within a genealogical list. In the book of 1 Chronicles, the name Beeliada is mentioned alongside two other individuals, Elishama and Eliphalet, as part of a list 1 Chronicles 14:7. This context establishes Bᵉʻelyâdâʻ as the name of a specific person in Israel's history.
In its only biblical context, H1182 is listed with other individuals whose names are also significant:
- H476 ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ (God of hearing): This name, transliterated as Elishama, is listed immediately before Beeliada 1 Chronicles 14:7. It is the name of seven Israelites found in scripture.
- H467 ʼĔlîypheleṭ (God of deliverance): This name, transliterated as Eliphalet, is listed directly after Beeliada 1 Chronicles 14:7. It is the name given to six different Israelites.
The theological weight of H1182 comes directly from its unique meaning and context.
- Reference to Baal: The name explicitly means "Baal has known," invoking the name of a deity other than the God of Israel.
- Theophoric Contrast: Its placement is significant, as it appears in a list with names that honor the God of Israel, such as ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ ("God of hearing") and ʼĔlîypheleṭ ("God of deliverance"). This contrast highlights the presence of a name acknowledging Baal within an Israelite record.
In summary, H1182 is a rare biblical name with a significant meaning. Its single mention in 1 Chronicles 14:7 presents the name Beeliada, meaning "Baal has known," within a list of otherwise God-honoring Israelite names. This makes it a noteworthy entry in the biblical record, illustrating the complex naming conventions present in ancient Israel.
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