The same is true for believers today when we forget the love, grace, and promises of God. [49], The epithet Hammon is obscure. Leviathan ( / lva.n / liv-EYE--thn; Hebrew: , romanized : Lvyn) is a sea serpent noted in theology and mythology. "Baal." James K. Hoffmeier (Winona Lake, IA: Eisenbrauns, 2014), 44. Cognates include the Akkadian Blu (),[c] Amharic bal (),[19] and Arabic bal (). Over time, though, baal became more synonymous with the god of fertility in Canaanite religion. Nashville: Lifeway Church Resources, 2021. Baal God Origin & Biblical Significance | Who is Baal? The name Baal in the Bible is most commonly associated with the Canaanite and Phoenician god of fertility, the rain, the sun, and the storm. [2][3], Jacques Collin de Plancy wonders if Bael is the same as the Canaanite deity Baal,[3] a reasonable assumption. Jeremiah 23:27 KJV, "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." Elijah Faith and Fire. In fact, in the time of Hosea, God instructed His people to remove all mention of baal from their conversations: In that day, declares the Lord,you will call me my husband; you will no longer call me my master (or my baal). Which they prepared for Baal - Rather, as in the English Margin, "which they made into Baal" (see Hosea 8:4; Ezekiel 16:17-19). Love ye therefore the stranger. That didnt stop the Israelites from supplementing their faith in Yahweh with prayers to local deities. Little is explicitly said about him . [34] He fought the Tannin (Tunnanu), the "Twisted Serpent" (Bn qltn), "Lotan the Fugitive Serpent" (Ltn Bn Br, the biblical Leviathan),[34] and the "Mighty One with Seven Heads" (ly D.bt Ram). in Near Eastern and Biblical Archaeology and Languages from Trinity International University. [18] Phoenician and Aramaic inscriptions describe "Baal of the Mace" (Bl Krntry), "Baal of the Lebanon" (Bl Lbnn), "Baal of Sidon" (Bl dn), Bl md, "Baal of the Heavens" (Baal Shamem or Shamayin),[44] Baal Addir (Bl dr), Baal Hammon (Baal amon), Bl Mgnm. And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, [and] slay them; let none come forth. After the death of Akhenaten, Smenkhkare and Tutankhamun (King Tut) both died without heirs. Coogan, Michael David. Some people create an idol out of something or someone in their lives, others the natural world, and others worship evil forces. 2013, 273; Bertha Porter and Rosalind L. B. Moss, Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Reliefs, and Paintings, vol. Improve your knowledge and understanding of the Bible and your life by studying the words of the holy scripture. God used Gideon to drive out Baal and the Midianites, though worship of Baal did return sporadically during the days of the judges. Editors note: It is comparable to the rabbinic Jewish custom of putting an acronym which stands for may he merit good, long days ( )after a living rabbis name. [41] Eliezer Oren, Migdol: A New Fortress on the Edge of the Eastern Nile Delta, BASOR 256 (1984): 7-44. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, theLordyour God, am a jealous God. (Exodus 20:1-2). The Lord preserved Elijahs life for a reason. Elijah went one step further and doused his altar in water. One such deity who gripped Israel for a period of time was Baal. In this context baal was a term of reverence and respect, not exclusively idol worship. When they didnt, His judgment was severe. Jezebel in the Bible - What We Can Learn from Her Story - Crosswalk [42] Editors note: For more on the problematic identification of Yam Suf on the Bible, see David Ben-Gad HaCohen, The Yam-Suph in the Transjordan, TheTorah.com (2017). [65], Eshbaal became Ish-bosheth[citation needed] and Meribaal became Mephibosheth,[66][original research?] but other possibilities also occurred. [19] Henri Brugsch, Geographica, Zeitschrift fr gyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde 13 (1875), 8. As previously mentioned, we only find this name referenced once in the Old Testament by King Ahaziah when he is injured from a fall. Abiel ( equals Jehiel?) I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." 2 Kings 11:18 KJV, "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." [55], At first the name Baal was used by the Jews for their God without discrimination, but as the struggle between the two religions developed, the name Baal was given up by the Israelites as a thing of shame, and even names like Jerubbaal were changed to Jerubbosheth: Hebrew bosheth means "shame". [78] El (Hebrew: ) became a generic term meaning "god", as opposed to the name of a worshipped deity, and epithets such as El Shaddai came to be applied to Yahweh alone, while Baal's nature as a storm and weather god became assimilated into Yahweh's own identification with the storm. The sons of Jokshan were. It is the story of a man raised up by God in a time of conflict in his community, in a time of spiritual and moral degeneracy. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal." Sacrifice by fire was common. (126) And they denied him, so indeed, they will be brought [for punishment], (127) Except the chosen servants of Allah. The prophet Samuel warned Gods people to turn away from their idols or suffer the consequences of foreign oppression at the hands of the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:3-4). (124) Do you call upon Ba'l and leave the best of creators - (125) Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers?" Baal got credit for a good harvest cycle, and Mot disdain for famine. [31], The Baal of Ugarit was the epithet of Hadad but as the time passed, the epithet became the god's name while Hadad became the epithet. And the people answered him not a word. The Lebanese city of Baalbeck was named after Baal. When they let these women into their lives, they were not marrying them, and they began to embrace the Moabite gods; So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, [which] they prepared for Baal. However, according to others it is not certain that the name Baal was definitely applied to Yahweh in early Israelite history. And all their villages that [were] round about the same cities, unto Baal. All of them were from the family line of Keturah. The Phoenicians called him the Lord of the Heavens. 1 Kings 21:8-10 captures the death letter she wrote. Only a definitive article, genitive or epithet, or context could establish which particular god was meant. Baalim and Ashtaroth are given as the collective names of the male and female demons (respectively) who came from between the "bordering flood of old Euphrates" and "the Brook that parts Egypt from Syrian ground". [23], Baal was also used as a proper name by the third millenniumBCE, when he appears in a list of deities at Abu Salabikh. An idol is inanimate. The Bible states that during the encounter with Elijah the prophets of Baal, And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. (1 Kings 18:28). Jeremiah 23:13 - And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to commit infidelity with the daughters of Moab. [8] The 18th dynasty ended with a succession crisis. It is believed that this position developed in the 5th centuryBCE following the severing of its ties to Tyre following the 480BCE Battle of Himera. Let it be our most earnest study to dwell upon the life and example of Jesus. The Greeks worshipped a master of the gods and keeper of the sky in the form of Belos, who we know as Zeus, and the Romans had their equivalent to Baal in the Roman god Jupiter. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. Why is Baal mentioned in the Bible? - Quora This false god led people astray, but God proved Himself. [11][12] In the Grand Grimoire, Bael (as Baal) is listed as a subordinate of Lucifuge Rofocale. [citation needed], The Quran mentions that Prophet Elias (Elijah) warned his people against Baal worship. Article Images Copyright . And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; [but] Jehu shall serve him much. So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and sent letters to the elders and to the nobles . The first mention of Molek occurs in . [32] This spelling is comparable to the orthography found on the Karnak Rhetorical Stela (KRI V 89.10); Buhen, Lesser Stela, Year 1 (KRI I, 101.10); Serapeum stela, Apis-Burial, Year 30 (KRI II, 370.9); Battle of Qadesh (KRI II 89.7-9); and P. Harris I (50,2). These were their settlements. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com. Instead of keeping their end of the bargain and following Gods command to remain in an exclusive relationship, the Israelites turned to other gods and idols for guidance and provision (Exodus 32). 5 (ed., David Noel Freedman; New York: Doubleday, 1992), 371. [11] Manfred Bietak, Nicola Math, and Vera Mller, Report on the excavations of a Hyksos Palace of Tell el Daba/Avaris. gypten und Levante 22/23 (2013): 15-35. Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. No matter what the priests of Baal did, nothing happened, because there was no one listening. [60] Names including the element Baal presumably in reference to Yahweh[61][11] include the judge Gideon (also known as Jerubaal, lit. For TYPES of idolatry mentioned in the Bible, see: Idolatry. Introduction. The meaning of the god Baal in the Bible is most commonly associated with the Canaanite and Phoenician god of fertility, the rain, the sun, and the storm. Discusses Adam's sorrow and death. [22], Like En in Sumerian, the Akkadian blu and Northwest Semitic baal (as well as its feminine form baalah) was used as a title of various deities in the Mesopotamian and Semitic pantheons. 5 Things Christians Need to Know about Idolatry, 10 Common Idols in Our Lives and How to Resist Them. Wilmington, H.L. According to . The archaeological record seems to bear out accusations in Roman sources that the Carthaginians burned their children as human sacrifices to him. This faith raises the judges, and inspires poets, prophets, and Nazirites. Why was the worship of Baal and Asherah a constant struggle for the [37] As vanquisher of the sea, Baal was regarded by the Canaanites and Phoenicians as the patron of sailors and sea-going merchants. The Gospel of The Birth of Mary was attributed to St. Matthew and was received as genuine and authentic by early Christians. 52 Instances - Page 1 of 2 - Sort by Book Order - Feedback. Who was Jezebel in the Bible? - NeverThirsty [47] Rather than the bull, Baal Hammon was associated with the ram and depicted with his horns. Ahab and his queen even employed 450 prophets and priests to lead Gods people in ritual worship, prayer, and sacrifice to Baal. When they did, Gods mercy was plentiful. Berean Standard Bible They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baalsomething I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind. Many scholars believe that this describes Jezebel's attempt to introduce the worship of the Baal of Tyre, Melqart,[54] to the Israelite capital Samaria in the 9th centuryBCE. Who Was the Baal god in the Bible? - Crosswalk And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. Proper names could incorporate baal in this regard, and the Hebrews would sometimes refer to Yahweh as their baal to signify His place as the master or lord of their life. Tottoli, Roberto. Dr. David A. Falk is a sessional instructor at the University of British Columbia. 2 Chronicles 23:17 KJV, "And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. Moses gave the same warning to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 32. 2 Kings 10:20 KJV, "When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died." [31] With the tp (Gardiner Sign D1) abbreviated to a t (Gardiner Sign X1). And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. stands for life, prosperity, health, which was standard to write after invoking the name of a Pharaoh. [23] Sukkot is listed as the first destination upon leaving Piramesses (Exod 12:37; Num 33:5). Gods, Pagan - Holman Bible Dictionary - StudyLight.org What Does It Mean to Be "Spiritually Blind"? Alyssa Roat Contributing Writer. Leviathan - Wikipedia Visit the bible stories page for links to some of the best known and most significant stories and passages in the bible. Related articles 5 Things Christians Need to Know about Idolatry Why Are We So Prone to Idol Worship? [10] Bael appears in later editions of The Grimoire of Pope Honorius, under Astaroth, as a prince whose powers include (again) invisibility and popularity. What Is an Asherah Pole and Does it Have Biblical Significance? - Crosswalk And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another." History of Phoenicia. For example, unlike the pagan gods of the Old Testament . Each verse includes a link to the chapter and verse of the book where it is found in the bible. While this claim was disputed, archaeological evidence has backed this claim in recent years. In the New Testament, Jesus would go on to refer to Satan as Beelzebub (Matthew 12:27), equating the devil with Baal-Zebub, the Philistine god of flies (2 Kings 1:2). The reading Beelzebul in Mt. Bible Stories Verses About Baal 51 Verses About Baal from 10 Books Numbers 22:41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost [part] of the people. I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips; no longer will their names be invoked. (Hosea 2:16-17). No one answered; no one paid attention (1 Kings 18:26b, 29). [96], Al-Thalab offers a more detailed description about Baal; accordingly it was an idol of gold, twenty cubits tall, and had four faces.[97]. [16] In such contexts, it follows the anglicized pronunciation and usually omits any mark between its two As. and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Hoffmeier held a view similar to Albrights but rejected his etymology. (128) And we left for him [favorable mention] among later generations: (129) Peace be upon Ilyseen*. In Moses account of the Israelites after they left Egypt, he recounts how there were several times when the Hebrews rebelled against the God who freed them from captivity. This is also the point of the Bible where the marriage between . [28] Thus, the worship of Baal in Canaanwhere he eventually supplanted El as the leader of the gods and patron of kingshipwas connected to the regions' dependence on rainfall for its agriculture, unlike Egypt and Mesopotamia, which focused on irrigation from their major rivers. What Bible Debates Inspired Martin Luther's 95 Theses? Names of 'other gods' mentioned in the Bible - Abarim Publications Claims from Roman sources asserted worship of Baal amongst the Phoenicians included child sacrifice. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost [part] of the people. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel (Numbers 25:3). [17][18] This trend would continue throughout the Old Testament. Israel's association of Asherah with sacred trees is repeated over thirty times in the Bible; many of these citations are stereotypically used by the biblical writers to describe sites of idolatrous worship, implying that the worship of Asherah was an apostate behavior in Israel and improper for followers of YHWH. 1 Kings 19:18 KJV, "And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. 33 The sons of Midian were. A Prayer for Durable Joy - Your Daily Prayer - June 25, A Powerful Morning Prayer to Start Each Day, 10 Uncomfortable Topics Pastors Should Still Preach About, A Prayer to Remain Present - Your Daily Prayer - June 26, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, Why Christians Should Avoid Debt and 6 Steps for How to Start, The One Thing Satan Really Wants to Take from You. The same evil and rebellious nature that we read about in the Old Testament has never gone away. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, the Lord, He is God; the Lord; He is God. (1 Kings 18:40). And they proclaimed [it]. [14] James Hoffmeier suggests that Tumilat is etymologically related to Pithom (tum/thom). [12] Even if it is Egyptian, given that the toponym seems to be a regional designation, i.e., the land of Goshen, as opposed to a specific site, the potential for its discovery by archaeological methods is lower. V arious idols (representations of false gods) are mentioned in the Bible: . He is described as a hoarsely-voiced king with the power to make men invisible and ruling over sixty-six legions of demons. She is often placed beside the chief male deity. The Top Bible Verses about Baal in Scripture - Bible Study Tools The Philistines worshiped Dagon in temples at Ashdod ( 1 Samuel 5:1-5 ) and Beth Shean ( 1 Chronicles 10:10 ). Shrier, Priscilla. When the men of Israel began having relationships with women from pagan countries, they were unequally yoking the nation to cultures that did not recognize their God. Baal is the title, or name, given to the ancient Canaanite-Phoenician deity who had previously been called Hadad. Egyptian Mission Rescue Excavations in Tell el-Retabah. Bael (Baal or Baal) is a demon described in demonological grimoires such as The Lesser Key of Solomon and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (where he is the first spirit mentioned) and also in the Dictionnaire Infernal. LXXB baal muian theon akkarn, Baal-Fly, god of Akkaron; Ant 9:2, 1 theon muian). Jonathan Greer, Richard Hess, and John Hilber (Baker Books). 1 Kings 18:26 KJV, "And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 6 Reasons Women over 50 Can Do Brave Things, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. The fire of the Lord burned everything as soon as Elijah asked for it, where the prophets of Baal called for hours, but there was no one to hear them. And they built the high places of Baal, which [are] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through [the fire] unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. [14], This article is about the demon. Following the exodus from Egypt, God warned His people to stay away from the gods of the Canaanites and trust in Him alone. He alone is trustworthy, and He alone is worthy of praise. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that [was] by it. This collection, known as the Late Egyptian Miscellanies, includes a selection of source documents from the 19th and 20th dynasties. 1. Introduction and Historical Setting for Elijah | Bible.org The Bible search feature makes it easy find verses or words. From its use among people, it came to be applied to gods. Ner Kish Abner Saul . He holds a Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Liverpool, an M.A. The false god Baal is mentioned in the Bible under a variety of names. The Bible strongly condemns practices which are associated with Moloch, practices which appear to have included child sacrifice. Baal is common to many Semitic languages and means "lord"; [34] it is often used as an epithet for a god. Older scholarship claimed Baal controlled human fertility as well, but did so on the basis of misinterpretation or of inscriptions now regarded as dubious. [37] The site is referred to as, e.g., Migdol of Seti-Merneptah (Seti I). Gardiner, LEM, 67. Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (2 Chronicles 34:4, 7; 14:3,5; Isaiah 17:8). When Baal is mentioned in the Old Testament, most references and meanings point to the singular pagan deity. [39] It was excavated by James Hoffmeier from 1998-2007; James K. Hoffmeier, Excavations in North Sinai: Tell el-Borg I (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2014), 1-33. Who was Dagon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org The feminine form is baalah (Hebrew: ;[20] Arabic: ), meaning 'mistress' in the sense of a female owner or lady of the house[20] and still serving as a rare word for 'wife'. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God (1 Kings 18:38-39). However, though Gods display on Mount Carmel had demonstrated His power over Baal and His sovereignty over creation, revival in Israel was short-lived. We also see in the showdown on Mount Carmel, the priests of Baal were known for ritual worship that involved loud, ecstatic cries, frenzied behavior, and various forms of cutting and self-mutilation (1 Kings 18). And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. Looking for something in the Bible? We learn about the fall but also of the promise to save Adam and his decendents. The worship of Baal seems to have been at its height during the times when Israel was two kingdoms and the prophets were active. In some instances, the Israelites outright abandoned God in favor of carven idols. Jeremiah 19:5 They have built high places to Baal on which - Bible Hub Ahab married Jezebel, yoking Israel to Tyre, and idolatry easily crept in. The Moabites were the descendants of Lot, Abrahams nephew. The god Dagon of the Philistines (Judges 16:23) was apparently a Semitic god of grain mentioned in the Ugaritic texts as Dagan, the father of Baal. As a result of their sin, the men of Israel were judged by God. Of course, there are numerous attributes of God revealed in Scripture that blatantly expose the false, inadequate nature of all other gods and religions. Stories from Ancient Canaan. Let us love one another, for love comes from God and every one who loves is a child of God and knows God. Asherah, the moon goddess, was the principal female deity worshiped by ancient Syrians, Phoenicians, and Canaanites. [29] A determinative is a letter in a word that has no phonetic value but visually conveys to the reader additional information about the meaning of the word. The Canaanite Baal, however, was often represented in the form of a large bull or ram as sculptures of Baal were erected at various temples and cities where Baal worship was practiced, including, at times, Jerusalem. [27][18][e] Both Baal and El were associated with the bull in Ugaritic texts, as it symbolized both strength and fertility. What We Know about the Egyptian Places Mentioned in Exodus But there was no voice, nor any that answered. One source says that " Tishbe" means "captivity.". Youngs Literal Translation Isaiah Chapter 43. In it, Ahaziah, king of Israel, is said to have consulted the priests of Baal Zebub as to whether he would survive the injuries from his recent fall. One of the kings in the northern kingdom was Ahab, considered one of the most wicked men to reign over Israel during the course of its history. The Babylonians would borrow from the Phoenicians to worship a similar god of fertility and the sun, who they referred to as Belu or Bel. He is the prince of demons. Most believe she was the wife of the supreme god El and the mother of Baal. [32] Baal was usually said to be the son of Dagan, but appears as one of the sons of El in Ugaritic sources. 2 Kings 10:21 KJV, "And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day." In one instance, the men began to have inappropriate sexual relationships with the women of Moab. See, William F. Albright, Exploring in Sinai with the University of California African Expedition. BASOR 109 (1948): 16. 1 Chronicles 4:33 KJV, "And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. Jezebel Ordered Naboth's Death. He who loves not man does not know God, for God is love. In 1 Kings 21:5-25 we are told that Jezebel had Naboth, the Jezreelite, killed by stoning so that her husband could own Naboth's vineyard. Answer Baal was the name of the supreme god worshiped in ancient Canaan and Phoenicia. Judges 6:25 10 Common Idols in Our Lives and How to Resist Them. Bael (Ba'al or Baal) is a demon described in demonological grimoires such as The Lesser Key of Solomon and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (where he is the first spirit mentioned) and also in the Dictionnaire Infernal. Numbers 22:41 KJV, "And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under." [74] However, during the period of Judges such worship seems to have been an occasional deviation from a deeper and more constant worship of Yahweh: Throughout all the stories of Judges the popular faith in YHWH runs as a powerful current. Bible Verses About Baal - 51 passages - King James Version (KJV) - Sarata The component Baal in proper names is mostly applied to worshippers of Baal, or descendants of the worshippers of Baal. This verse combined with 1 Chronicles 9:35-39, seems to show that the genealogy of Saul was:. Daily Bible study is essential. [88][i] This has been proposed to have been Bl Zbl, Ugaritic for "Prince Baal". According to records, the logic was that children were both pure and innocent, as well as the most important things to a parent, and therefore the sacrifice was more meaningful. Answer (1 of 5): Baal represented people who behaved in the way that Freud described the actions of people under the influence of their Libido. Baal. His consort was the goddess Tanit. The story depicts mans struggle against evil, the devil and sin. Rather than that to be inferred from 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 14:50-51.. [73] It is thus unclear whether the false worship of the "Baalim" being decried[70] is the worship of a new idol or rites and teachings placing Yahweh as a mere local god within a larger pantheon. Who Is Baal in the Bible? - Christianity The priests said not, Where [is] the LORD? Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida and Eldaah. [26] Pi-Hahiroth also appears in the list of way stations in Num 33:7. 1 Kings 18:25 KJV. And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. [45] Like Hadad, Baal Hammon was a fertility god. [34], From Canaan, worship of Baal spread to Egypt by the Middle Kingdom and throughout the Mediterranean following the waves of Phoenician colonization in the early 1st millenniumBCE. Baal - Wikipedia While people do not worship Baal today, it is common to worship nature, other gods, or even oneself. Donald Redford once suggested that rt could be based on a Semitic root, and thus, be the name of a Semitic goddess. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/ggenova, 4 Marriages in the Bible that Show Us What NOT to Do, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information, God hears His people and answers their cries. As a god, he is understood as a child of El, "father of gods", while his fertility aspects connect him to the, "The etymology of Beelzebul has proceeded in several directions. For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.