Baal and Asherah
The following is only a version of Baal and Asherah (Ashteroth).
Being human inventions, variations of these 'gods' identities vary over time and different geographical locations.
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).
To destroy 'Asherah' was actually to destroy, not the goddess, but a cultic object of worship i.e. an 'Asherah pole' erected on high places.
The videos listed just below are very helpful ... well worth watching.
(Preliminary Studies of Religion students will find this page very helpful - Religions of Ancient Origin)
INTRODUCTORY VIDEOS - Excellent; extremely helpful and instructive (Vimeo)
The Nature of Canaanite Religion - 1 of 3
The Nature of Canaanite Religion - 2 of 3
The Nature of Canaanite Religion - 3 of 3
The Temptation of Canaanite Religion
SPECIFIC WEBSITES TO RESEARCH (All links tested mid July 2012)
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
'Baal' - New World Encylopedia BAAL
'Asherah' - New World Encyclopedia 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
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
'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
Baal - Encyclopedia BAAL
'Ba‘al Worship in the Old Testament' by Dennis Bratcher BAAL
'Baal' by Wayne Blank BAAL
Pagan Gods and Goddesses BAAL & ASHERAH
1 Kings 18 and Elijah's contest with the priests of Ba'al & Asherah
