Merib-Baal

mer-ib-bā´al (מריב־בּעל, m^erı̄bhba‛al; also מרי־בעל, m^erı̄-bha‛al, “Baal contends”): The spelling varies in a single verse; 1Ch 9:40 contains the name twice: first, in the first form above; second, in the second form. The name is given also in 1Ch 8:34. It is the other name of MEPHIBOSHETH (2) (which see).

In Jer 11:13 and Hos 9:10 the terms “Baal” and “Bosheth” seem to stand in apposition, the latter form being a slightly contemptuous alternative rendered “shame.” This is akin to other like changes, such as Esh-baal for Ish-bosheth, Jerub-besheth for Jerub-baal, etc. The change in the first part of the name could occur through a clerical confusion of the Hebrew aspirate pē (p) and rēsh (r) in Hebrew.