דברי הימים א, פרק ט׳, פסוק מ׳

Biblical genealogies sometimes present familiar historical figures under unexpected names, reflecting deeper cultural and religious shifts. Commentators agree that Jonathan's son, widely known elsewhere as Mephibosheth, appears in this family record under the alternative name Merib-baal.

This change in title stems from the historical attitude toward idol worship [רש"י]. When the Israelites began to worship the idol Baal, the very word "Baal" became synonymous with shame and disgrace. As a result, historical records occasionally replaced the "Baal" component of personal names with the word for shame, "boshet."

This practice extends to other historical figures as well. A similar substitution occurs with the judge Gideon, who originally earned the title Jerubbaal because he actively fought against the worship of Baal. In later accounts, however, he is referred to as Jerubbesheth. The underlying principle remains the same, treating the terms for the idol and for shame as essentially interchangeable. Following this naming convention, the record notes that Merib-baal—the alternate name for Mephibosheth—became the father of a son named Micah.