Plural of baal; false gods or idols worshipped in ancient Semitic religions, or figuratively, things people wrongly devote themselves to.
From Hebrew בַּעַל (ba'al) meaning 'master' or 'lord.' In biblical texts, Baals referred to fertility deities worshipped by Canaanites and neighboring peoples. The plural form entered English through Latin and Greek translations of religious texts.
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