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Definition:
Baal is a semitic word which simply means "owner" or "lord." In the latter sense it appeared as a
name for one of the most important gods in the Canaanite pantheon, a god of storms and thunder
who was worshipped because he brought the spring rainstorms every year. Baal was believed to be
either the son of the corn god Dagon or the principle god El. Baal was also depicted as having
a consort, the goddess of battle Ashtoreth (also known as Ishtar).
Exhortations against the worship of Baal appear regularly in the writings ascribed to the prophets, indicating that it was widespread and pervasive. Religious rites at a temple dedicated to Baal probably involved, at the very least, watching people have sex - if not participating in the religious sex yourself. According to the prophets, the Israelite god Yahweh was transcendent, supreme and universal whereas Baal was simply a superstitious deification of a part of nature which was created by Yahweh. Nevertheless, worshipping Baal and his two consorts, Astarte and Asherah seems to have been very popular at times.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
