Bible Encyclopedias

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Baal-Tamar

(Hebrews Ba'al Tamar', בִּעִל תָּמָר, place ofpalm-trees; Sept. Βάαλ Θαμάρ), a place neai Gibeah, in the tribe of Benjamin, where the other tribes fought with the Benjamites (Judges 20:33). It was doubtless so called as being one of the sanctuaries or groves of Baal. See BAALIM. The palm-tree (תָּמָר ) of Deborah (Judges 4:5) was situated somewhere in the locality, and is possibly alluded to (Stanley, Palest. p. 145). Eusebius and Jerome (Onomast. s.v. Βααλθαμάρ, Baalthamar) call it Bethamar (Βησθαμάρ, Bethamari), thus affording another instance of that interchange of Beth and Baal which is also exemplified in Baal-shalisha and Baal-Meon. The notices seem to correspond to the present ruined site Erhah, about three miles N.E. of Jerusalem (Van de Velde, Map), on a ravine running toward Anathoth (Robinson, Researches, 2, 315 note).