Baal-Perazim

At this spot, the Philistines were put to flight by David, (2 Sam. v. 20. 1 Chron. 14. 11.) The margin of the Bible hath rendered this name, the plain of breaches. And, consequently, David was the lord or master of it.

Ba´al-Per´azim. This name, meaning ’place of breaches,’ was imposed by David upon a place in or near the valley of Rephaim, where he defeated the Philistines (2Sa 5:20; comp. 1Ch 14:11; Isa 28:21).

Place of breaches, a name given by David to the scene of a battle with the Philistines, 2Sa 5:20 ; 1Ch 14:11 ; Isa 28:21 . It was in the valley of Rephaim, not far southwest of Jerusalem.\par

"lord of breaches", where Jehovah broke forth on David’s enemies, the Philistines, as a breach ("bursting forth") of waters (2Sa 5:20; 1Ch 14:11). Compare Isa 28:21, "Mount Perazim"; once the idol Baal’s high place, henceforth it was to be noted for Jehovah’s bursting forth on David’s idolatrous foes.

(Hebrews Ba’al Peratsiml, פְּרָצַים בִּעִל, having rents; Sept. [at the first occurrence in Slm.] Βαάλ Φαρασίν [v . r. Φαρασείν]), the scene of a victory of David over the Philistines, and of a great destruction of their images, and so named by him in a characteristic passage of exulting poetry- ’Jehovah hath burst (פָּרִוֹ) upon mine enemies before me as a burst (פֶּרֶוֹ) of waters.’ Therefore he called the name of that place ‘Baal-perazim,’” i.e. bursts or destructions (2Sa 5:20; 1Ch 14:11). The place and the circumstance appear to be again alluded to in Isa 28:21, where it is called Mount Perazim. Perhaps this may indicate the previous existence of a highplace or sanctuary of Baal at this spot, which would lend more point to David’s exclamation (see Gesenius, Jes. in loc.). The Sept. render the name in its two occurrences respectively Ε᾿πάνω διακοπῶν and Διακοπὴ φαρασίν, the latter an instance of retention of the original word and its explanation side by side; the former uncertain. SEE PERAZIM. It is important as being the only one with the prefix Baal SEE BAAL, of which we know the circumstances under which it was imposed; and yet even here it was rather an opprobrious application of a term already in use than a new name. The locality appears to have been near the valley of Rephaim, west of Jerusalem; perhaps identical with the modern Jebel Aly (Van de Velde, Map). SEE PERAZIM.

By: Morris Jastrow, Jr., Frants Buhl

A place mentioned in the report of the battle between David and the Philistines in II Sam. v. 20 (compare I Chron. xiv. 11). The Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim, while David withdrew to the hill-fortress of Adullam and thence proceeded to Baal perazim, where he defeated the Philistines. Consequently the place must have been situated in the valley of Rephaim; but more definite information concerning it can not be found. One is tempted to connect it with Mount Perazim (Isa. xxviii. 21).

BAAL-PERAZIM.—An unidentified site near Jerusalem (2Sa 5:20, 1Ch 14:11).

bā-al-pē̇-rā´zim, bā-al-per´azim בּעל־פרצים, ba‛al p^erācı̄m; Βααλ’φαρασείν, Baal’pharaseı́n, “the lord of breakings through”): The spot in or near the Valley of Rephaim where David obtained a signal victory over the Philistines; it was higher than Jerusalem for David asked, “Shall I go up against the Philis?” (2Sa 5:20; 1Ch 14:11). The exact site is unknown, but if the Vale of Rephaim is el Beka‛a, the open valley between Jerusalem and Mar Elias, then Baal-perazim would probably be the mountains to the East near what is called the “Mount of Evil Counsel” (see JERUSALEM). The Mount Perazim of Isa 28:21 would appear to be the same spot.