Liverpool, October 16. 1850.
_Jezebel._--The name of this queen is, I think, incorrectly translated in
all the _Bible Dictionaries_ and _Cyclopædias_ that have come under my
notice. It was common amongst all ancient nations to give _compound_ names
to persons, partly formed from the names of their respective _divinities_.
This observation applies particularly to the Assyrians, Babylonians, and
their dependencies, together with the Phoenicians, Carthaginians,
Egyptians, and Greeks. Hence we find, both in scripture and profane
history, a number of names compounded of _Baal_, such as _Baal_-hanan, Gen.
xxxvi. 38., the gift, grace, mercy, or favour of _Baal_; the name of the
celebrated Carthaginian general, Hanni_bal_, is the same name transposed.
The father of the Tyrian prince, Hiram, was called Abi_bal_, my father is
_Baal_, or _Baal_ is my father. Esh_baal_, the fire of _Baal_; Jerub_baal_,
let _Baal_ contend, or defend his cause; Meri_baal_, he that resists
_Baal_, or strives against the _idol_, were Hebrew names, apparently
imposed to ridicule those given in honor of _Baal_. The father of _Jezebel_
was called Eth_baal_, Kings xvi. 31., (classically, Itho_balus_,) with
_Baal_, towards _Baal_, or him _that rules_. Lastly, Hasdru_bal_ signifies
help or assistance of _Baal_. Will some of the talented contributors to
"NOTES AND QUERIES" inform me what is the _composition_ and _meaning_ of
_Jezebel_, as it has hitherto baffled my own individual researches? Is it
the contracted _feminine form_ of Hasdru_bal_?