Pu-Ba'lu

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Pu-Ba'lu (also Pu-Bahla) was the ruler of Yursa, a small city-state in Canaan, identified with Tell Jemmeh, during the Amarna letters period (about 1350–1335 BC). His name in West Semitic and Akkadian means “word/mouth of Baal,” i.e., Baal’s spokesman or Baal’s voice.

He wrote three letters to the pharaoh that are part of the Amarna letters: EA 314, EA 315, and EA 316. In EA 314 and EA 315 he is described as “the ruler of Yursa,” while EA 316 simply names him Pu-Ba’lu. A different figure with a similar name, Pu-Bahla, is mentioned in EA 104 as the son of Abdi-Ashirta, likely a separate person.

The Amarna letters total about 382; Pu-Ba'lu is only referenced in these few messages.