Baal was a false god worshiped by many ancient cultures, including the Canaanites and, at times, even the Israelites when they turned away from the true God. “Baalim” is the plural form, referring to the many variations of Baal worship throughout different regions. The Bible frequently condemns the worship of Baal, warning of its consequences and calling God’s people to remain faithful.
Here are 25 Bible verses from the King James Version (KJV) that address Baal and Baalim:
1. Judges 2:11
“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:”
2. Judges 2:13
“And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.”
3. Judges 3:7
“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.”
4. Judges 10:6
“And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.”
5. 1 Samuel 7:4
“Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.”
6. 1 Kings 16:31
“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.”
7. 1 Kings 18:21
“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”
8. 1 Kings 18:26
“And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.”
9. 1 Kings 18:40
“And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.”
10. 2 Kings 10:18
“And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.”
11. 2 Kings 10:19
“Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.”
12. 2 Kings 10:28
“Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.”
13. 2 Chronicles 28:2
“For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.”
14. 2 Chronicles 33:3
“For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.”
15. Jeremiah 2:8
“The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.”
16. Jeremiah 2:23
“How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;”
17. Jeremiah 7:9
“Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;”
18. Jeremiah 11:13
“For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.”
19. Jeremiah 12:16
“And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.”
20. Jeremiah 19:5
“They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:”
21. Hosea 2:8
“For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.”
22. Hosea 2:13
“And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.”
23. Hosea 2:16
“And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.”
24. Hosea 13:1
“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.”
25. Zephaniah 1:4
“I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;”
Final Thoughts
The Bible repeatedly warns against Baal worship because it leads people away from God. Baal was associated with idolatry, immorality, and even human sacrifice. Time and again, God’s people fell into Baal worship, and each time, God called them back to true worship of Him alone.
If we apply these lessons today, we see that anything we place above God—whether material wealth, power, or worldly pleasures—can become a form of “Baal” in our lives. God calls us to serve Him with a pure heart, free from idolatry.
