BA'AL, noun An idol among the ancient Chaldeans and Syrians, representing the sun. The word signifies also lord, or commander; and the character of the idol was varied by different nations, at different times. Thus baal Berith is supposed to signify the Lord of the Covenant; baal Peor, or rather baal Phegor, the Lord of the dead. Ps. cvi, baal Zebub, the god of flies, etc.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI