The Hebrew name ʼEshbaʻal, represented by H792, means man of Baal. It identifies a specific individual, Eshbaal (or Ishbosheth), a son of Saul. This name is rare in scripture, appearing only 2 times across 2 unique verses, both of which are found in genealogical records.
In the biblical narrative, ʼEshbaʻal H792 is mentioned exclusively within the lineage of King Saul. The two occurrences, found in 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 1 Chronicles 9:39, are identical. These verses document the descendants of Ner, Saul's great-grandfather. In this context, the text states that Saul H7586 begat Jonathan H3083, Malchishua H4444, Abinadab H41, and Eshbaal H792, thereby establishing his identity as one of Saul's four recorded sons.
The identity of ʼEshbaʻal is fixed within a well-defined family line, and the names of his relatives are key to his context:
- H7586 Shâʼûwl (asked; Shaul... Saul): The father of Eshbaal, whose lineage is the central subject of the passages where Eshbaal is named 1 Chronicles 8:33.
- H7027 Qîysh (a bow; Kish...): The father of Saul H7586 and therefore the grandfather of Eshbaal, connecting the royal line to its roots 1 Chronicles 9:39.
- H5369 Nêr (lamp; Ner...): The father of Kish H7027 and the great-grandfather of Eshbaal, marking the start of this specific genealogical record 1 Chronicles 8:33.
- H3083 Yᵉhôwnâthân (Jehovah-given; Jehonathan... Jonathan): A brother of Eshbaal, listed immediately before him in the list of Saul's sons 1 Chronicles 9:39.
While the verses mentioning ʼEshbaʻal do not contain theological discourse, his inclusion carries narrative significance:
- Royal Lineage: The primary purpose of mentioning ʼEshbaʻal is to formally record him as a son of Israel's first king, Saul H7586. He is listed among his brothers Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, solidifying his place in the royal family 1 Chronicles 8:33.
- Genealogical Preservation: His name is preserved in the chronicles, which serve as an official record of Israel's key families. The direct repetition of his genealogy in two separate chapters emphasizes the importance of this lineage (1 Chronicles 8:33, 1 Chronicles 9:39).
- Identification as Ishbosheth: The definition for ʼEshbaʻal H792 explicitly notes that this is another name for Ishbosheth, a figure mentioned elsewhere as the son of Saul 2 Samuel 2:8.
In summary, ʼEshbaʻal H792 is not a common noun but the proper name of a specific biblical figure. His significance lies entirely within his identity as a son of King Saul H7586. The name, meaning "man of Baal," is found only in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles, which serve the vital function of documenting the royal line of Israel from Ner H5369 through Kish H7027 to Saul and his sons.
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