Bible Dictionary
Baalbec
Baalbec was a city of Coele-Syria, later known as Heliopolis, famous for its extensive temple ruins. Its identification with Baal-gad or Solomon’s buildings is uncertain.
Definition
Baalbec was a city of Coele-Syria on the lower slope of Anti-Libanus, about forty-two miles northwest of Damascus. The Greeks called it Heliopolis, “city of the sun,” because of its famous Temple of the Sun. It was one of the most splendid Syrian cities and is now represented by extensive ruins.
Biblical Usage
Baalbec has been identified by some with Solomon’s house of the forest of Lebanon and by others with Baal-gad, but these identifications are uncertain.
Historical Background
The city existed from remote antiquity. After several sieges under Muslim and other rulers, it was finally destroyed by an earthquake in 1759. Its ruins are of great extent.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Called by the Greeks Heliopolis i.e., “the city of the sun”, because of its famous Temple of the Sun, has by some been supposed to be Solomon’s “house of the forest of Lebanon” (1 Kings 7:2; 10:17; 2 Chr. 9:16); by others it is identified with Baal-gad (q.v.). It was a city of Coele-Syria, on the lowest declivity of Anti-Libanus, about 42 miles north-west of Damascus. It was one of the most splendid of Syrian cities, existing from a remote antiquity. After sustaining several sieges under the Moslems and others, it was finally destroyed by an earthquake in 1759. Its ruins are of great extent.