English · KJV
H4810

מְרִי בַעַל

Mᵉrîy Baʻal /mer-ee' bah'-al/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom מְרִי and בַּעַל
Meaningrebellion of (i.e. against) Baal; Meri-Baal, an epithet of Gideon
KJV usageMeri-baal. Compare מְרִיב בַּעַל.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Mᵉrîy Baʻal — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word Mᵉrîy Baʻal, represented by H4810, is a proper name that means rebellion of (i.e. against) Baal. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The name is also identified as an epithet for Gideon and is a variant of the name Merib-baal.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single use of H4810 occurs within a genealogical list in 1 Chronicles. The name Meribbaal is recorded as the son of Jonathan and the individual who begat Micah 1 Chronicles 9:40. Notably, this verse uses two slightly different Hebrew words, H4807 and H4810, to refer to the same person, highlighting the variations that can occur in names within the scriptural text.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help establish the context for H4810 within its only appearance:

  • H4807 Mᵉrîyb Baʻal (quarreller of Baal, Merib-Baal): This is the comparable form of the name used in the same verse, also referring to the son of Jonathan who begat Micah 1 Chronicles 9:40.
  • H3083 Yᵉhôwnâthân (Jehovah-given; Jehonathan): This name identifies the father of Meribbaal. Jonathan was Saul's son and was known for his loyalty and love for David 1 Samuel 18:1.
  • H1121 bên (a son): This core genealogical term establishes the relationship, identifying Meribbaal as the son of Jonathan 1 Chronicles 9:40.
  • H3205 yâlad (to bear young; causatively, to beget): This verb confirms the continuation of the family line, stating that Meribbaal begat Micah 1 Chronicles 9:40.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4810 is found entirely in its meaning and associations rather than its narrative use.

  • Statement Against Idolatry: The name's definition, rebellion of (i.e. against) Baal, serves as a clear declaration against the worship of the false god Baal.
  • Connection to Gideon: By being an epithet for Gideon, the name is linked to one of Israel's great judges who actively opposed and destroyed altars to Baal.
  • Faithful Lineage: The name's placement in the line of Jonathan, a man of great faith 1 Samuel 23:16, embeds this powerful anti-Baal statement within an important family record in Israel.

Summary

In summary, Mᵉrîy Baʻal H4810 is much more than a name in a lineage. Although it appears only once, its meaning of "rebellion of (i.e. against) Baal" carries a profound theological statement. It simultaneously marks a person's place in the genealogy of Jonathan 1 Chronicles 9:40 and serves as a lasting testament against idolatry, demonstrating how biblical names could embody a declaration of faith.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מְרִי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4807 מְרִיב בַּעַל from רִיב and בַּעַל; quarreller of Baal, Merib-Baal, an epithet of Gideon; Merib-baal. Compare מְרִי בַעַל. H3083 יְהוֹנָתָן from יְהֹוָה and נָתַן; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites; Jonathan. Compare יוֹנָתָן. H1121 בֵּן from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, inclu H3205 יָלַד a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bea

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in 1 Chronicles — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.