Ethbaal אֶתְבַּ֫עַל
King of Sidon; father of Jezebel.
Who is Ethbaal in the Bible?
Ethbaal was the king of Sidon, a Phoenician city-state, and the father of Jezebel, who married King Ahab of Israel (1 Kings 16:31). By arranging this marriage around 878 BC, Ethbaal sought to strengthen political and economic ties between Sidon and Israel. Through his daughter Jezebel's influence at the Israelite court, Baal worship was actively promoted throughout the northern kingdom, leading Ahab to construct a temple and altar for Baal in Samaria (1 Kings 16:32-33). Ethbaal's dynasty had profound religious and political consequences for Israel, contributing to the spiritual decline that would later provoke the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
Biography
Ethbaal was the king of Sidon, a Phoenician city-state. He was the father of Jezebel, who became the wife of King Ahab of Israel (1Ki.16.31). Ethbaal's reign is estimated to have been around 878-847 BC. By arranging the marriage of his daughter Jezebel to Ahab, Ethbaal likely sought to strengthen political and economic ties between Sidon and Israel. Jezebel's influence led to the promotion of Baal worship in Israel, which had significant consequences for the nation (1Ki.16.32-33).
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 16:31
"And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֶתְבַּ֫עַל |