Chap. III Of Baal-Peor, Baal-Tsephon, Baal-Zebub, Baal-Berith, Bell and the Dragon
Whom the Hebrews called Baal, the Babylonians called Bell; and although the Planet of the Sun only at first might be worshipped under that name, yet at last it became a common name to many other Idols, according to that, There are many Gods, many Baalims or Lords, 1 Cor. 8. 5. As the same Idol Jupiter had different names, and different Rites of worship, occasioned sometimes from the different places, as Jupiter Olympius, from the Hill Olympus; Jupiter Capitolinus, from the Capitol hill; Jupiter Latialis, from that part of Italy which is called Latium. Sometimes from the different benefits which he was supposed to bestow on men, as Jupiter Pluvius because he gave Rain; Jupiter Lucetius, because he gave Light; Jupiter Altitonans, from thundring; So Baal had his distinctive Titles, and different Rites of worship, sometimes occasioned by the place, as Baal-Peor, Numb. 25. 3. sometimes from the benefit obtained, as Baal-Tsephon, Exod. 14. 1. and Baal-Zebub, 2 King. 1. 2. sometimes for some other reason, as Baal-Berith, Judg. 8. 33.
Baal-Peor is thought434 to be that Priapus, that obscene Idol, so famous in prophane Authors. He was called Peor, from the Hill Peor, mentioned, Numb. 23. 28. as likewise his Temple wherein he was worshipped, standing upon the same Hill, was called Beth-Peor, Deut. 3. 29. He was worshipped by the Moabites and Midianites: the Idol Chemish, Jer. 48. 7. is thought to be the same,435 and I take it to be applied to Baal Peor, by way of contempt, as if one should say, their blind god, according to that in the Psalm, They have eyes and see not. For the first letter436 Caph, signifieth quasi; and מוש Musch Palpare, to grope or feel about, in manner of blind men.
Baal-Tsephon is thought by the Hebrews,437 to have been an Idol made by the Ægytian Magicians, and placed in the Wilderness, to observe and stop the Israelites in their departure from Ægypt; whence it was termed צפן Tsephon, from צפה Tsapha, signifying to watch, & observe in manner of a watchman: because we may call him Baal speculator, as, among the Romans; because Jupiter stayed the Romans when they were flying, he was called Jupiter stator.438
Baal-Zebub, soundeth as much as the Lord of the Flies, or a Master fly,439 which hath power and authority over the rest, in which respect the Prince of the Devils in the Gospel is termed Beel-Zebub, זבוב Zebub signifieth a Fly. This Idol was worshipped by the Cyrenians,440 but principally by the Ekronites, because whensoever they sacrificed unto him, the swarms of flies which at that time molested the Country, died. But it is certain, that this was not the alone reason, for they were wont to repair to him, as to an Oracle, 2 King. 1. 2. We may call him Jupiter muscarius, or Hercules muscarius:441 for the Inhabitants of the City Elis sacrificed to Jupiter under the name ἀπομύιος, (i.) A driver away of flies: and the Romans to Hercules, under the same name. Some Greek Copies in the Gospel read Βεελζεβοὺλ, Beelzebul: which change is interpreted to be, for to shew the greater contempt of the Idol, as if they should say Jupiter stercoreus, זבל Zebel signifieth stercus, and Beel, or Baal, signifieth Dominus.
Baal-berith was the Idol of the Shechemites; of his Temple we read, Judges 9. 4. ברית Berith signifieth a Covenant; so that Baal-berith may be translated Jupiter fœderatus,442 The God unto whom they bound themselves by Covenant. Concerning Bel and the Dragon, little is spoken, besides what we read in that off the Apocrypha, where the History is described.
Notes
434 Hieronym. ad Hos. c. 9. Idem. prodidit Isidor. Orig. l. 8.
435 Hieron. in Isai. l. 5. c. 15.
436 Philo Jud. lib. 2. Allegor. p. 79.
437 P. Fag. Exod. 14. 1.
438 Rosin. lib. 2. antiq. Rom. cap. 5.
439 Ζητήσουσι μυῖαν Θεὸν Ἀκκαρῶν. Gregor. Nazianz. orat. 2. contr. Julian. p. 102.
440 Plin. l. 10. c. 28.
441 Clemens Alexand. in protrep.
442 Ἔθηκαν ἑαυτοῖς τῷ βάαλ διαθήκην, τοῦ εἶναι αὐτοῖς αὐτὸν εἰς θεὸν. Septuagint. interp. Jud. 8. 33.