Bible Dictionary
Ethbaal
Ethbaal was king of the Sidonians and the father of Jezebel, whom King Ahab married. His family connection brought Sidonian Baal worship into the royal household of Israel.
Definition
Ethbaal was king of the Sidonians and father of Jezebel, whom Ahab king of Israel married. He is also represented as a king connected with Tyre.
Biblical Usage
Ethbaal appears in the account of Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel. His family connection brought Sidonian Baal worship into the royal household of Israel.
Historical Background
Josephus represents Ethbaal as king of both Tyrians and Sidonians. His reign is dated approximately 940–908 B.C., and he is identified with Eithobalus, who seized the throne of Tyre.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(with Baal), king of Sidon and father of Jezebel. (1 Kings 16:31) Josephus represents him as a king of the Tyrians as well as of the Sidonians. We may thus identify him with Eithobalus, who, after having assassinated Pheles, usurped the throne of Tyre for thirty-two years. The date of Ethbaal’s reign may be given as about B.C. 940-908.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>eth-ba'-al, eth'-ba-al ('ethba`al, "with Baal"):</p><p>"King of the Sidonians," and father of Jezebel whom Ahab king of Israel took to wife (1Ki 16:31).</p>