Original Word: מְרִיב בַּעַל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Mriyb Ba`al
Pronunciation: meh-REEB bah-AHL
Phonetic Spelling: (mer-eeb' bah'-al)
Definition: Merib-baal
Meaning: quarreller of Baal, Merib-Baal

Merib-baal

From riyb and Ba'al; quarreller of Baal, Merib-Baal, an epithet of Gideon -- Merib-baal. Compare Mriy Ba'al.

see HEBREW riyb

see HEBREW Ba'al

see HEBREW Mriy Ba'al

Word Origin
from rib and Baal
Definition
perhaps "Baal is advocate," a son of Jonathan
NASB Translation
Merib-baal (4).

מְרִיב בַּ֫עַל proper name, masculine (baal is (our, my, his) advocate (?), compare Nes^Eg.120 Dr^{284, 4}; but Grau^{Prop. N. 201} thinks מרי בעל original form = hero of Baal); —

1 son of Jonathan 1 Chronicles 8:34, בָּ֑עַל ׳מ V:34; 1 Chronicles 9:40 = מְרִיבַֿעַל (err. ?) V:40 = מְפִיבשֶׁת (later change, see בּשֶׁת below בושׁ) 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 9:6 (twice in verse); 2 Samuel 9:10,11,12 (twice in verse); 2 Samuel 9:13; 2 Samuel 16:1,4; 2 Samuel 19:26; 2 Samuel 19:31; 2 Samuel 21:7, מְפִבשֶׁת 2 Samuel 16:25 (called בֶּןשָֿׁאוּל); ᵐ5 in 2 Μεμφι Βοσθε, in 1Chronicles (usually) Μεριβααλ; ᵐ5^L Mεμφιβααλ in 2Samuel (except 2 Samuel 4:1,2etc., where notin HCT).

2 מְפִבשֶׁת son of saul and Rispah, according to 2 Samuel 21:8, ᵐ5 (including ᵐ5^L) Μεμφιβοσθε.

רִיחַ, רֵיחַ see רוח. רֵים see רְאֵם.

[רֵיעַ] see II. רֵעַ below רעח. רִיעַ see ריּע

ריף (√ of following; meaning unknown).

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew root רִיב (riyb), meaning "to strive" or "to contend," combined with בַּעַל (Baal), a Canaanite deity, often used as a title meaning "lord" or "master."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct corresponding Strong's Greek entries for Merib-Baal, as this is a specific Hebrew name without a direct Greek equivalent in the Septuagint or New Testament texts. However, the concept of contending or striving can be related to Greek words such as ἀγωνίζομαι (agonizomai • Strong's Greek 75), meaning "to strive" or "to contend."

Usage: The name Merib-Baal is used in the Old Testament to refer to a descendant of Saul. In some contexts, the name is replaced with Mephibosheth, likely due to the negative connotations associated with Baal.

Context: Merib-Baal is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin. He is identified as the son of Jonathan, the son of King Saul. The name Merib-Baal appears in 1 Chronicles 8:34 and 1 Chronicles 9:40. In these passages, he is listed in the lineage of Saul, highlighting his connection to the royal family of Israel.

The name Merib-Baal is significant due to its association with Baal, a prominent Canaanite deity. The use of "Baal" in personal names was common in ancient Israel, although later generations often replaced it with "Bosheth," meaning "shame," to avoid the idolatrous connotations. This is why Merib-Baal is also known as Mephibosheth in other biblical texts, such as 2 Samuel 4:4 and 2 Samuel 9:6.

Merib-Baal's story is intertwined with the narrative of King David, who showed kindness to him for the sake of his father, Jonathan. Despite his physical disability, Merib-Baal was granted a place at David's table, reflecting the covenantal loyalty between David and Jonathan.

בַּ֖עַל בָּ֑עַל בעל ba‘al bā‘al ba·‘al bā·‘al BaalInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts