Baalism

[ bey-uh-liz-uhm, bey-liz- ]

noun

1. the worship of Baal.
2. idolatry.

Other Words From

• Baal·ist Ba·al·ite [bey, -, uh, -lahyt, bey, -lahyt], noun
• Baal·istic Ba·al·it·i·cal [bey-, uh, -, lit, -i-k, uh, l, bey-, lit, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Baalism¹

First recorded in 1615–25; Baal + -ism

Example Sentences

The fact points to an age when Sumerian animism had already been succeeded by Semitic Baalism; the spirit or ghost had become a god in human shape, who begat children and required an envoy.

From Project Gutenberg

Originating probably, in the observation of the fertilizing effect of rains and streams upon the receptive and reproductive soil, baalism becomes identical with the grossest nature-worship.

From Project Gutenberg

The history of Baalism among the Hebrews is obscured by the difficulty of determining whether the false worship which the prophets stigmatize is the heathen worship of Yahweh under a conception, and often with rites, which treated him as a local nature god; or whether Baalism was consciously recognized to be distinct from Yahwism from the first.

From Project Gutenberg

The antagonism of Elijah was not against Baalism in general, but against the introduction of a rival deity.

From Project Gutenberg

The earliest certain reaction against Baalism is ascribed to the reign of Ahab, whose marriage with Jezebel gave the impulse to the introduction of a particular form of the cult.

From Project Gutenberg