“And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.” — 1 Kings 16:31 (KJV)
The King of the Sidonians
Ethbaal I (reigned c. 887–856 BC) was a formidable Phoenician monarch who ruled as the King of Tyre and Sidon. His name, Ithobaal in Phoenician, literally translates to “With him is Baal” or “Baal is with him,” a title that perfectly reflected his religious zeal and the theological shadow he would cast over the history of Israel.
According to historical records from Josephus, who cited the Phoenician historian Menander of Ephesus, Ethbaal was not originally the heir to the throne. He was a priest of Astarte (Ashtoreth) who rose to power by assassinating the previous king, Pheles. This transition from the priesthood to the monarchy is significant; it explains the aggressive, proselytizing nature of the religious cult he exported to his neighbors.
The Architect of an Unholy Alliance
Ethbaal is most famously known in the biblical narrative for orchestrating a political and spiritual merger with the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He gave his daughter, Jezebel, in marriage to Ahab, the son of Omri.
This was more than a mere diplomatic treaty. For Ethbaal, it was an opportunity to expand the influence of the Tyrian economy and the Phoenician pantheon. By placing his daughter on the throne of Samaria, he ensured that the worship of Baal-Melqart would challenge the worship of Jehovah at the highest levels of government.
His Influence and Legacy
Under Ethbaal’s reign, Tyre became a maritime powerhouse, expanding its colonial reach to places like Auza in Libya and maintaining a tight grip on Mediterranean trade. However, his most enduring legacy is the spiritual corruption he introduced to Israel. Through his daughter Jezebel, Ethbaal’s devotion to Baal led to:
- The State-Sponsored Cult of Baal: The construction of a temple and altar for Baal in Samaria.
- The Persecution of Prophets: The systematic attempt to eliminate the prophets of the Lord.
- The Confrontation at Carmel: The cultural environment that necessitated the ministry of Elijah the Tishbite.
Summary
Ethbaal was the embodiment of the fusion between secular power and pagan idolatry. He was a usurper-priest who transformed a merchant kingdom into a religious engine, nearly derailing the spiritual heritage of Israel through a single, calculated marriage alliance. His reign reminds the student of scripture that the enemies of faith often utilize political “progress” and economic prosperity as a veil for spiritual subversion.