Baalis בַּעֲלִיס
King of the Ammonites during the Babylonian exile.
Who is Baalis in the Bible?
Baalis was the king of the Ammonites during the Babylonian exile, mentioned in Jeremiah 40:14 in connection with a conspiracy against Judah's leadership. He sent an assassin named Ishmael to murder Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon over the surviving remnant of Judah after Jerusalem's fall. When Johanan warned Gedaliah of the plot, the governor dismissed the warning and was subsequently killed by Ishmael, prompting the remaining Jews to flee to Egypt in fear. This incident demonstrates that Baalis, as a traditional enemy of Israel, exploited Judah's vulnerability following the exile to advance Ammonite interests through political violence and destabilization.
Biography
Baalis was the king of the Ammonites during the time of the Babylonian exile. He is mentioned in Jer.40.14 in connection with a plot to assassinate Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians over the remnant of Judah. According to the text, Johanan warned Gedaliah that Baalis had sent a man named Ishmael to kill him. Gedaliah did not believe the warning and was subsequently murdered by Ishmael, causing the remaining Jews to flee to Egypt out of fear. This incident reveals that Baalis was opposed to the Babylonian-appointed governor and was willing to use violence to disrupt the fragile peace in Judah after the exile. The Ammonites, led by Baalis, were long-time enemies of Israel and may have seen Judah's weakened state as an opportunity to gain power in the region.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 1 verse
- Jeremiah 40:14
"and said to him, “Are you aware that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בַּעֲלִיס | baʿăliys | Baalis , an Ammonitish king |