Original Word: בַּעַל שָׁלִשָׁה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Ba`al Shalishah
Pronunciation: bah-ahl shah-lee-shah
Phonetic Spelling: (bah'-al shaw-lee-shaw')
KJV: Baal-shalisha
NASB: Baal-shalishah
Word Origin: [from H1168 (בַּעַל - Baal) and H8031 (שָׁלִשָׁה - Shalishah)]

1. Baal of Shalishah, Baal-Shalishah, a place in Israel

Baal-shalisha

From Ba'al and Shalishah; Baal of Shalishah, Baal-Shalishah, a place in Palestine -- Baal-shalisha.

see HEBREW Ba'al

see HEBREW Shalishah

Word Origin
from Baal and Shalishah
Definition
"Baal of Shalishah," a place in Pal.
NASB Translation
Baal-shalishah (1).

בַּ֫עַל שָׁלִשָׁה proper name, of a location 2 Kings 4:42, place in Ephraim near Gilgal; = Βαιθσαρισαθ Lag^{Onom 239. 2nd ed. 250} approximately 15 miles from Diospolis. (? ׳ב proper name, of divinity)

Geographical Setting

Baal-shalishah was a village or district in the hill country of Ephraim, probably lying west of the Jordan River and north of the territory of Benjamin. The broader region, simply called Shalishah, is traversed earlier in Scripture when Saul searches for his father’s donkeys (1 Samuel 9:4). Ancient sources and modern surveys suggest sites such as Khirbet Sirisīyah or Kafr Thulth, both situated in fertile grain-growing country—terrain that explains the firstfruits offering brought to Elisha.

Biblical Occurrence

The name appears once, in 2 Kings 4:42, where “a man came from Baal-shalishah and brought the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread from the firstfruits, along with some fresh heads of grain”. The account sits amid a series of Elisha’s wonders that manifest the covenant LORD’s care for His remnant during a period of widespread apostasy and famine in the northern kingdom.

Historical Background

The reign of Jehoram (Joram) over Israel (2 Kings 3:1) was marked by Baal worship and economic distress. In this setting, a worshiper from a village whose very name includes “Baal” travels to the prophet of Yahweh with firstfruits that by Mosaic law belonged to the priests (Numbers 18:12). His act shows an allegiance to the true God that supersedes local idolatry and signals the quiet faith that yet existed in Israel (compare 1 Kings 19:18).

Ministry Significance

1. Prophetic Provision. Elisha receives the offering and commands, “Give it to the people to eat” (2 Kings 4:42), turning a priestly portion into communal sustenance. The miracle that follows—feeding one hundred men with leftovers remaining—confirms Elisha as the bearer of the divine word “according to the word of the LORD” (4:44).
2. Firstfruits Typology. The grain represents the first and best of the harvest devoted to God (Exodus 23:19). By redirecting it to hungry followers, Elisha illustrates that what is offered to God becomes a channel of blessing to His people.
3. Foreshadowing Christ. The structure of the event (presentation of loaves, objection concerning insufficiency, command to distribute, miraculous surplus) anticipates Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:35-44; John 6:1-14). Elisha’s deed therefore serves as a prophetic sign that finds its fullest expression in the Messiah, who is Himself the Bread of Life.
4. Contrast with Baal. In a locality bearing Baal’s name, Yahweh proves to be the true giver of grain and life, fulfilling Hosea 2:8, where Israel is reminded that “she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain.”

Theological Themes

• Divine Sufficiency in Scarcity—God multiplies limited resources when they are surrendered to Him (Philippians 4:19).
• Faithful Remnant—Even in compromised settings, individuals can honor the LORD with their firstfruits (Proverbs 3:9).
• Prophetic Authority—Elisha’s word carries the same force as “the word of the LORD,” validating the prophetic office.
• Christological Expectation—Old-covenant miracles cultivate anticipation of the greater provision that comes in Jesus Christ.

Related Passages

1 Samuel 9:4; 2 Kings 4:43-44; Proverbs 3:9-10; Deuteronomy 18:4; Mark 6:35-44; John 6:1-14.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to offer the first and best of their resources to the Lord’s service, trusting Him to multiply what is freely given. The narrative calls the church to compassionate ministry that meets physical needs while pointing to the ultimate sufficiency found in Christ.

Summary

Baal-shalishah, though mentioned only once, becomes the setting for a memorable display of God’s covenant faithfulness. A simple act of obedience—bringing firstfruits to God’s prophet—becomes the occasion for a miracle that feeds many and prefigures the greater, overflowing provision found in Jesus, the true Lord of the harvest.

שָׁלִ֗שָׁה שלשה šā·li·šāh šālišāh shaLishahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts