Baal

The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is typically transliterated as “Baal” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “idol.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Baal” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In the English translation by Goldingay (2018) it is translated as Master.

See also my Baal and Asherah.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Baal .

complete verse (2 Kings 10:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 10:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “That was how Jehu destroyed everything belonging to Baal in the country of Israel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In this way Jehu destroyed Baal worship from Israel.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “In this way, Jehu made-disappear/vanish the worship of Baal in Israel.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “That is how Jehu got rid of the worship of Baal in Israel.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 10:28

Thus translates the common Hebrew conjunction. But because what follows is a kind of summary statement, it may be rendered “In this way” or “This is how.”

The Hebrew verb translated wiped out means “bring to nothing.” Elsewhere in Revised Standard Version, it is translated “destroy/destroyed” (Gen 34.30; Lev 26.30; 1 Kgs 13.34; 16.12). The same verb is used by New International Version and New Century Version in this verse. In this context it may also be rendered “rooted out” (New American Bible), “stamped out” (Revised English Bible), or “eradicated” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Compare also verse 17.

While the text literally says Jehu destroyed Baal, the meaning is that he eliminated “the worship of Baal” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Kings 10:28

10:28 Thus Jehu eradicated Baal from Israel,

That was how Jehu ended the worship of Baal in Israel.

-or-

So Jehu stopped people in Israel from worshiping the Baal idol.

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