from בַּעַל and יָהּ; Jah (is) master; Bealjah, an Israelite; Bealiah.
Transliteration:Bᵉʻalyâh
Pronunciation:beh-al-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H1183}}`, transliterated as *Bᵉʻalyâh* (בְּעַלְיָה), is a proper noun, a personal name. Its meaning is derived from a clear etymological composition: it combines the noun `{{H1167}}` (*ba'al*), meaning "master," "owner," or "lord," with the short form of the divine name, `{{H3050}}` (*Yah*), which is an abbreviation of Yahweh (`{{H3068}}`). Therefore, the name `{{H1183}}` literally translates to "Yahweh is Master" or "Yahweh is Lord." As a personal name, its semantic range is fixed by this etymological meaning, serving as a theological statement embedded within an individual's identity. It signifies a declaration of God's sovereignty and ownership.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H1183}}` (Bealiah) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of 1 Chronicles:
* **[[1 Chronicles 12:5]]**: "Bealiah, and Zabadiah, and Jadiel, and Joel, and Hananiah, Elam, and Zithri, and Joel, Jehoezer, and Jashobeam, and Eliel, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah, Haruphite." (Note: The name "Bealiah" appears twice in some translations due to a textual variant or scribal repetition; the primary and universally accepted occurrence is the first instance in this list).
In this sole occurrence, Bealiah is listed among the Benjamites who joined David at Ziklag. These individuals are explicitly described as "mighty men, helpers in the war" ([[1 Chronicles 12:1]]). They were skilled warriors, "armed with bows and able to use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows from the bow" ([[1 Chronicles 12:2]]). The context highlights their loyalty and support for David during a critical period when he was still pursued by Saul. The presence of a warrior named "Yahweh is Master" among those who would establish David's kingdom subtly underscores the divine hand in David's ascendancy and the conviction that God was the ultimate commander and source of strength in their military endeavors.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name `{{H1183}}` is deeply intertwined with several significant Hebrew words and theological concepts:
* **`{{H1167}}` (Ba'al):** This root word is central to the name. While *ba'al* primarily means "owner" or "master," it became notoriously associated with the Canaanite storm god Baal, a rival deity to Yahweh. The name "Bealiah" (Yahweh is Master) serves as a powerful theological counter-statement, reclaiming the concept of "lordship" and unequivocally attributing it to Yahweh, thereby distinguishing the true God from pagan deities.
* **`{{H3050}}` (Yah) / `{{H3068}}` (Yahweh):** The suffix "-iah" is a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh, emphasizing the personal and covenantal God of Israel. Names ending in "-iah" or beginning with "Jeho-" or "Jo-" (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonathan) are common in Hebrew and signify devotion to Yahweh, reflecting the parents' faith and hope in God. Bealiah fits perfectly into this category of theophoric names.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Ownership:** The core meaning "Yahweh is Master" directly speaks to the biblical concept of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and humanity. He is the ultimate owner and ruler. This concept is foundational to Israelite theology, asserting God's supreme authority over all aspects of life, including war and political leadership.
* **The Contrast with Baal Worship:** The name implicitly stands as a polemic against the pervasive Baal worship in the ancient Near East. It declares that the true "master" is not the fickle Canaanite god, but Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1183}}` (Bealiah) is profound, despite its single occurrence. It functions as a concise theological statement embedded within a human name, declaring "Yahweh is Master."
1. **Affirmation of Yahweh's Lordship:** The name unequivocally asserts Yahweh's supreme authority and ownership. It is a confession of faith that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is the true and sole Master over all things, including the lives of His people.
2. **Distinction from Paganism:** In a cultural milieu saturated with the worship of Baal, a name like Bealiah served as a public declaration distinguishing the worshiper of Yahweh from those who bowed to foreign gods. It was a clear rejection of syncretism and an affirmation of monotheism.
3. **Faith in Action:** For a warrior like Bealiah, the name carries particular weight. It suggests that his strength, skill, and allegiance were ultimately rooted in his acknowledgment of Yahweh as his Master. Even in the realm of warfare and human endeavor, God's sovereignty was recognized as paramount. It implies that success in battle, and indeed in life, comes from acknowledging and submitting to the true Lord.
4. **Parental Piety:** The naming of a child often reflected the theological convictions and hopes of the parents. Bestowing the name Bealiah upon their son indicates a desire to honor God and instill in their child, and in the community, the foundational truth that Yahweh is the ultimate authority.
### Summary
`{{H1183}}` (Bᵉʻalyâh), transliterated as Bealiah, is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "Yahweh is Master" or "Yahweh is Lord." This powerful theological statement is derived from its constituent elements: `{{H1167}}` (ba'al, "master") and `{{H3050}}` (Yah, a short form of Yahweh). Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[1 Chronicles 12:5]], where Bealiah is listed as a Benjamite "mighty man" who joined David at Ziklag, renowned for his martial prowess. The name itself serves as a profound declaration of Yahweh's absolute sovereignty and ownership, standing in stark contrast to the worship of the Canaanite deity Baal. Theologically, it underscores the Israelite belief in God's ultimate authority over all aspects of life, including military endeavors, and reflects the piety of those who named their children in honor of the true Lord. Bealiah's name is a lasting testament to the foundational truth that Yahweh alone is the supreme Master.
TRV