The Aramaic form of Baal, the national god of the Babylonians (Isa. 46:1; Jer. 50:2; 51:44). It signifies “lord.” (See BAAL.)
Bel
Bel is the name of a god, spoken of only by prophets who are announcing its fall. Isaiah pictures the idols of Babylon being carried off on animals: “Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth” (Isaiah 46:1), a burden for the weary beast. Jeremiah says the same when the city is taken, “Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces” (Jeremiah 50:2), and speaks the LORD’s word, “I will punish Bel in Babylon” (Jeremiah 51:44). The point is that a god that has to be carried cannot carry anyone. Isaiah 46 is the plainest place to read it.
3 verses
Isaiah
Isaiah 46:1
Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah 50:2
Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
Jeremiah 51:44
And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.
From Easton's Bible Dictionary
Matthew George Easton, 1897