ash'-bel, ash'-bel-it ('ashbel): The gentilic name "Ashbelite" is found inNu 26:38, second son of Benjamin (Ge 46:21). In1Ch 7:6-11(6) "Jediael" ("known to God") is substituted for the heathen-sounding "Ashbel" ("Ishbaal," "man of Baal"). The chronicler, in this case, conforms literally to the principle laid down inHo 2:17; the title "Baal" ("lord") was applied in early days (e.g. in the days of Saul) to the national God of Israel, but in later days the prophets objected to it because it was freely applied to heathen gods (compareISH-BOSHETH). In1Ch 8:1the three names Bela, Ashbel, Aharah (= Ahiram) are taken fromNu 26:38, however, without change.
H. J. Wolf