The exact location of Baal-gad is uncertain, but it is generally accepted as being in the vicinity of
Wadi al-Taym in southeastern
Lebanon. The earliest suggestions identified it with
Banias or
Baalbek, while
Félix-Marie Abel suggested identifying it with
Hasbaya. However, archeological evidence suggests that neither Banias nor Hasbaya were inhabited before the
Hellenistic period, while Baalbek is too far north to fit with the geographical details in Joshua. Simons proposes identifying Baal-Gad with the site of Tell Haush/Tell ez-Zeitun, a small
tell in
Beqaa Governorate just north of
Haouch El-Qenaabeh (, about 8.5 kilometers southwest of
Rashaya and 12 kilometers north of Hasbaya).
Jericke accepts this identification, as Tell Haush/Tell ez-Zeitun is the only site with
Late Bronze Age and
Iron Age Levantine remains between near
Marjayoun to the south and
Kamid el-Loz to the north. == References ==