Baal and Asherah

Baal was the Canaanite god of rain and storm who eventually became king of gods (by defeating a god called ‘Sea’).

In Hebrew ba'al means "lord", "master" or "husband".

Unfortunately, over time, the Israelites turned away from worshipping the true (unseen) God, YHWH – and turned to the worship of Baal and Asherah.

In fact, their allegiance became so widespread that Baal worship became the dominant religion by far – those who worshipped the true God were a small minority.

Baal’s sister/wife was Anat. Mot was the god of death (loved droughts too!) who killed Baal. Anat brought Baal back to life. In doing so she slashed herself with knives to display her mourning (1 Kings 18?)

Asherah was the Canaanite mother of all the gods representing life giving and the primeval sea ('the deep'). She is sometimes mentioned as Ba'al's mother, sometimes his wife - often symbolised by a pole (erected on high places).

(HSC Studies of Religion students will find this helpful - Religions of Ancient Origin)

SPECIFIC WEBSITES TO RESEARCH (All links tested mid July 2011)

1. General Information

Canaanite culture and religion

 Canaanite/Ugaritic Mythology FAQ, ver. 1.2

The Extermination of the Canaanites  

General information on Cana and the Canaanites. 

2. Baal and Asherah

International Bible Standard Encyclopedia BAAL

Various Bible Dictionaries BAAL 

Baal, Baalim (Catholic Encyclopedia) BAAL

International Bible Standard Encyclopedia ASHERAH

Various Bible Dictionaries ASHERAH

'Baalism in Canaanite Religion and Its Relation to Selected Old Testament Texts.' A study by Greg Herrick BAAL: Excellent. Includes a brief discussion on 1 Kings 18

Canaanite Religions and Baal Worship by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson  BAAL and ASHERAH (Ashtoreth)

The Worship of Baal BAAL

'Israelite Religion to Judaism: the Evolution of the Religion of Israel'by David Steinberg BAAL and ASHERAH

Phoenician Canaanite Religion -- Pagan  BAAL and ASHERAH

http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/1960/JASA6-60MacRae.html

Ugarit and the Bible: Ugaritic Literature as an Aid to Understanding the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) by David Steinberg BAAL

'Baal' by Alan G. Hefner BAAL

'Ba'al' from Wikipedia BAAL

'Asherah' from Wikipedia ASHERAH

Bible.Org (do a search eg 'baal') BAAL

'Baal' from Conservapedia BAAL

 'Asherah' from Jewish Encyclopedia ASHERAH

 'Baal and Baal Worship'from Jewish Encyclopedia BAAL

http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Baal/id/1924691

http://www.crivoice.org/baal.html

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/baal.htm

http://www.biblestudytools.com/Dictionaries/BakersEvangelicalDictionary/bed.cgi?number=T301 (Baal & Asherah)

 

 

1 Kings 18 and Elijah's contest with the priests of Ba'al & Asherah

 

1. Jamieson  

 

2. Matthew Henry 

 

3. Enduring Word (very helpful)

 

4. Wiersbe (scroll the document and look for 1 Kings 18)

 

5. Alan Carr

 

6. Various Authors There are quite a few authors to choose from within this site.

 

7. John Ritenbaugh

 

8. Gary DeLashmutt

 

 9. How Bad Was Jezebel? by Janet Howe Gaines (BAR Magazine)