ITHOBAAL I Meaning and
Definition
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Ithobaal I was a Phoenician king who reigned in Tyre during the 9th century BCE. He is known for his extensive maritime trade, political power, and for being the father of Jezebel, who later became queen consort of Israel. The name "Ithobaal" translates to "Ba'al is with him" in the Phoenician language, emphasizing the king's religious affiliation with the deity Ba'al.
Ithobaal I's reign marked a period of significant expansion and commercial prosperity for Tyre, which was a major Phoenician city and a dominant maritime power in the Mediterranean region. Under his rule, Tyre established flourishing trade networks and became renowned for its skilled seafaring and shipbuilding capabilities. The city engaged in extensive commerce with various nations, including Israel, Egypt, and Assyria, which helped it amass significant wealth and influence in the ancient world.
Ithobaal I's lineage and political astuteness allowed him to strengthen Tyre's position as a prominent city-state among Phoenician settlements. His daughter's marriage to King Ahab of Israel further consolidated alliances and exerted influence over Israelite politics, deeply impacting the socio-religious landscape. His reign was instrumental in shaping the socio-economic and political dynamics of the Phoenician civilization during this era.
In summary, Ithobaal I was a renowned Phoenician king of Tyre in the 9th century BCE, known for his maritime trade, political power, and fatherhood of Jezebel, who played a significant role in Israelite history.
Etymology of ITHOBAAL I
The word "Ithobaal" has its origins in Phoenician culture and language. "Ithobaal" was a Phoenician given name that was common among the ruling class. The Phoenician language is part of the Canaanite branch of the Northwest Semitic language family, closely related to Hebrew and other ancient Canaanite languages.
"Ithobaal" can be broken down into two parts: "ith" and "baal". In Phoenician, "ith" signified a personal name element that carried a tribal or family-based connotation. It often referred to a person's relationship to a particular deity or god. "Baal", on the other hand, was a common Semitic word for "lord" or "master" and was used to refer to a wide range of deities in the ancient Near East.
