God Brahma Overview, Facts & Significance | Who is Brahma in Hinduism? WhatsApp_Group_1 Mishnah History, Purpose & Facts | What is the Mishna? Describe the characteristics of the local Canaanite religion. Occult History, Practices & Facts | What is Occultism? Potala Palace Construction & Use | Palace of the Dalai Lama, Alchemy Symbols Overview & Analysis | Element Symbols in Alchemy, Louis Farrakhan Family, Life & Career | Minister Farrakhan Ideologies. Russian Orthodox Church Origin & Beliefs | What is Russian Orthodoxy? Regional Integration Laylat al-Qadr Significance & Origin | What is the Night of Power? Israel and Canaanite Religion - Claude Mariottini Hindu Gods & Goddesses With Many Arms | Overview, Purpose & List, Sukkot Overview, History & Significance | Feast of Tabernacles. She is also styled "the progenitress of the gods," while, conversely, the gods are termed "the sons of Asherah." Lord Narasimha Overview & Legends | Who is the Hindu Lion God? Papal Conclave History & Practices | How is the Pope Chosen? 695 lessons. Popular Religion in Canaan and the Levant (Bronze Age Canaanite Priest Role, History & Religions | What is a Priest? Ugaritic administrative texts imply a highly developed cultic establishment with functions departmentalized among priests under the supervision of a chief priest, consecrated persons, singers, doorkeepers, etc. Ba'al's victory gave him . He was the Canaanite Hephaestus or Vulcan, the wise craftsman and inventor of tools and weapons, as well as of musical instruments. The ritual was intended to revive the god of fertility by sympathetic action. Biblical scholars see a parallel between this and the opening verse of Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning Elohim created to the Heaven and the Earth." co-ruler of the underworld, twin brother of Melqart, a son of Mot. "Handy (1994:176,177) describes the four hierarchical levels in Syro-Palestinian mythology. Easter Ecumenism Principle, Overview & History | What is Ecumenism? 2010 The Canaanites were a Semitic people because they spoke Semitic languages. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Love c. h. gordon, "Canaanite Mythology," Mythologies of the Ancient World, ed. Buddhism in Korea: History & Facts | What is Korean Buddhism? Christian Ethics Form 4 Egypt, Ancient Whether one sees Israelite religion as growing out of Canaanite religion or being perverted by it, the reality seems to be that Israelite religion did not completely separate from its Canaanite counterpart until the return of the Jews from Babylon or later. Rabbi Overview, History & Functions | Judaism Religious Leader. Bribery And Corruption What could be more natural than to pray to the god of pestilence for healing from the disease that he controlled? Shofar Origin, History & Use | What is a Shofar? The root of this practice in Punic religion is illustrated by the fact that it had not ceased by the 3d century a.d. despite repeated Roman efforts to wipe it out. Religious Revival History & Timeline | What is Christian Revivalism? pyramid: A stone tomb constructed to house a deceased pharaoh of Egypt. The same picture emerges essentially from the sacrificial tariffs of Marseilles and Carthage from c. 4th century b.c. The Gods and Goddesses of Canaan | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of The importance of certain gods in the mythological texts does not necessarily correspond to their popularity among Canaanite worshippers. Feast of Christ the King | Overview, Origins & Observance, Liturgical Calendar | History, Feasts & Holy Days. There is no evidence in the Ugaritic tablets of human sacrifice, though the practice was rampant among the Canaanites of the 1st millennium b.c. The nature of the Canaanite religion/Features of the Canaanite religion/attributes that show the nature of the Canaanite religion It was based on nature/cosmic/cyclic/changes in seasons. December 2019 Recent archaeological finds indicate that this image may represent either a presently unidentified god or a deified king. Catholic Epistles: List & Authors | Who Wrote the General Epistles? It was an approach to the world which was thought to establish an intimacy between the community and the personified forces of nature, and which, by the large place given to sympathetic magic and rites of fertility, made man a necessary agent in the continuous process of creation and revitalization. Jesus Ministry In Jerusalem The gashing with knives is found in the description of El's mourning for the dead Baal as well as in the writings of Lucian of Samosata, in the 2d century a.d., who states that the custom was characteristic of the ceremonial mourning for Adonis, which was performed annually at the Syrian sanctuary in Hierapolis. Goddesses. ed. Folk Religion: Overview, History & Examples | What are Folk Religions? Archaeological evidence also supports the fact that not only Canaanites, but Israelites as well, kept figurines of goddesses in their homes at least until the time of the Babylonian exile. Gods of Fertility Overview & Facts | What is a Fertility Deity? Retrieved April 28, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ugaritic-canaanite-religion. London Missionary Society: History & Missions | What was the LMS? The Akkadian word "kinahhu" referred to the purple-colored wool, dyed from the Murex molluscs of the coast, which was throughout history a key export of the region. Shango History, Significance & Symbols | Who is Shango? This channel helps one to not only pass christian religious education examinations, but also equips one with appropriate skills and knowledge because it's a . Detailed study of the Ugaritic material, of other inscriptions from the Levant and also of the Ebla archive from Tel Mardikh, excavated in 1960 by a joint Italo-Syrian team, have cast more light on the early Canaanite religion. It was characterized by a growing emphasis on personal religion involving concepts of sin and forgiveness and by a change of the earlier democratic divine polity into an absolute monarchical structure, dominated by the god of the national stateto the point that the pious abstained from all human initiative, in absolute faith and reliance on The sky and the rains were under the control of Baal, the dominant figure of the Canaanite pantheon. Buddhist Meditation: Overview & Practices | What is Buddhist Meditation? National Elections Donation of Constantine | Forgery, History & Facts. In a comminatory formula in the Legend of King Keret from Ras Shamra, he is invoked thus: "May Hron break, O my son, may Hron break your head, Astarte, name of Baal, your pate" (Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament 149). More recently, detailed study of the Ugaritic material, of other inscriptions from the Levant and also of the Ebla archive from Tel Mardikh, excavated in 1960 by a joint Italo-Syrian team, have cast more light on the early Canaanite religion. Rowley, for example, claims that the divine command to destroy the Canaanites in general, or Jericho and its inhabitants in kparticular, and similar episodes in the Old Testament are Semitic peoples, those who speak Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic, were known to settle the land around 2000 BCE. Eid al-Fitr: Overview, History & Practices | When Does Ramadan End? Much of. November 2022 Professor H.H. Jewish Religious Clothing | Types, History & Examples. Diwali Overview & Celebration | What is the Festival of Lights? In the myths he supervises the building of Baal's palace, equips the sanctuaries of the gods, and makes the divine bows. If the languages and scripts were that similar, they probably shared quite a bit in culture, art and perhaps even religion. Cain & Abel Story: Summary & Analysis | Why Did Cain Kill Abel? Dispensationalism Overview & Theology | What is Dispensationalism? Haoma Overview, Significance & Facts | What is the Haoma Plant? Faith And Gods Promises: Abraham According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art: "Although there existed no single state theology, the major gods reflect local geographical concerns about the fertility of the earth and the importance of water as well as relationships to the sky and the underworld." Mortal vs. Venial Sin: Overview & Examples | What is a Mortal Sin? The birth of the two gods Shahar, "dawn," and Shalim, "sunset," begotten by El who seduced two women, forms the subject of a dramatic text that has been described as "a landmark in the prehistory of classical drama" (Gordon, Mythologies, 185). Baal | Encyclopedia.com The oceans, rivers, lakes, and subterranean springs were under the dominion of Yamm, "Sea." She is there called "the strong goddess, the woman being a warrior, clothed as a man, dressed as a woman." Halacha Overview, Rules & History | What is Jewish Law? Features of the Canaanite religion - ATIKA SCHOOL - Page 42, Learn how and when to remove this template message, The Early History of God: Yahweh and Other Deities in Ancient Israel, "Extremists blow up Baalshamin Temple at Palmyra, in pictures", "ISIS destruction of Palmyra's Temple of Bel revealed in satellite images", "Pidray, Tallay, and Arsay in the Baal Cycle", "Life, Death, and Afterlife in Ancient Israel and Canaan", "Canaanites Imported Sacrificial Animals From Egypt, Archaeologists Find", "The archeology of Hellenistic Palestine", "A view from Copenhagen: Israel and the History of Palestine", "DNA from the Bible's Canaanites lives on in modern Arabs and Jews", "The Cuneiform Texts of Ras Shamra~Ugarit", "Bibliography of Canaanite & Phoenician Studies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canaanite_religion&oldid=1152216644, Wikipedia introduction cleanup from October 2021, Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from October 2021, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2020, Articles with incomplete citations from April 2022, Articles containing Ugaritic-language text, Articles to be expanded from October 2022, Articles with empty sections from October 2022, Articles needing additional references from February 2017, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Ishat, goddess of fire, wife of Moloch. Excommunication in the Catholic Church | Origin, Offenses & Examples. Yuga Cycle in Hinduism | History, Structure & Significance. In practice, temples to Baal were fairly common in Canaanite culture, and many ritual objects devoted to Astarte and Anat have also been uncovered. Archaeology and Religion in Late Bronze Age Canaan For example, the characteristics of both El and Baal may be seen in Zeus, while Astart resembles Aphrodite, Anat is similar to Athena, Yam to Poseidon, and Mot to Hades or Thanatos. Great Mosque of Cordoba: History & Design | What is the Mezquita? Jesus Christ Traditional African Society And Culture In actual cult, the mythological figure of Baal was identified in each locality with the peculiar genius loci; hence one encounters him under such diverse titles as "Baal of Sidon," "Baal ammn," and "Baal Addr." St Luke's Gospel Wesleyan Church History, Beliefs & Facts | What is a Wesleyan? Beltane Festival History, Facts & Celebration | What is Beltane? Seraph Overview, Significance & Facts | What are Seraphim? Some of the deities listed below are mentioned only briefly in the Canaanite texts, while others were important locally or nationallysuch as Chemoshbut not throughout the region. They built high places for their gods and goddesses 6. The Ugaritic texts regularly designate her "the virgin Anath," one "the maiden Anath," and several times, apparently, simply as "maiden." July 2020 This popular usage is, however, both too narrow geographically and fraught . Om Symbol: History & Facts | What is the Prime Symbol of Hinduism? In the Urgaritic Baal cycle, Baal, the god of storms and fertility, earns his position as the champion and ruler of the gods by defeating the tyrannical Yam, the god of the sea, and later triumphing over Mot, the god of death. Khalsa Origins, Founders & Symbols | What is the Khalsa Tradition? The biblical representation of Canaanite religion is always negative. They had a large pantheon of Gods, with El being the supreme deity. Ancient Canaanite Religion - The Spiritual Life Mormon Trail Overview & Sites | What was the Mormon Pioneer Trail? Dominican Order History & Divisions | What are Dominicans? Congregationalism: Founder & Beliefs | What is a Congregational Church? New Catholic Encyclopedia. Shamash Overview & Mythology | Who is the Mesopotamian Sun God? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Guan Yu the God of War: Life & Legacy | Who was Guan Yu? . High Priest of Israel: Overview & Significance | What was the High Priest? Torah Ark: History, Purpose & Location | What is the Aron HaKodesh? In the Bible, the Canaanites were regarded as wicked and sinful. The Cross: Symbolism, Use & Designs | What Does the Cross Mean? Dukkha: Concept & Examples | What is Suffering in Buddhism? Ugaritic-Canaanite Religion | Encyclopedia.com In the Bible, Canaanites were referred to negatively, and God encouraged the Israelites to ward them out of the city upon settling there. June 2020 Since the word balu simply meant "lord," it could be applied to different gods. Holy Saturday: History & Traditions | The Saturday Before Easter, Protestant Denominations: List & Beliefs | Branches of Protestantism. In the time of Jeremiah, Israelites still offered their children as sacrifices, a practice apparently intended to satisfy Yahweh Himself, who insists through the prophet that He never commanded such a thing, "nor did it ever enter my mind" (Jeremiah 7:31). Tibetan Buddhism Origin & Beliefs | What is Tibetan Buddhism? Animal Worship: Overview, History & Facts | What is Zoolatry? Judas Iscariot Life & Death in the Bible | Who Betrayed Jesus? Cline, Austin. Learn Religions, Sep. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-were-the-canaanites-248830. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Bible referred to Canaan as the "Promised Land," and God gave it to Abraham and his descendants. Many gods, worship alone, wherever the god is, every person for themselves. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church | Origin, History & Beliefs, Doctors of the Church History & List | Doctor of the Universal Church, Amida Buddha Origin & Facts | The Significance of Amitabha in Buddhism. Canaanite religion describes the belief systems and ritual practices of the people living in the ancient Levant region throughout the Bronze Age and Iron Age. Bronze Age Canaanite temples usually consisted of a large room, together with a porch and courtyard. The Canaanite religion precedes Judaism, the Jewish monotheistic religion. Book of Hours: Purpose, History & Imagery | What is a Book of Hours? Like other ancient cultures, Canaanite society was largely concerned with agricultural themes. (1985)"Analyzing the Abominable: Our Understanding of Canaanite Religion" (The Jewish quarterly review, 1985), The Encyclopedia of Religion - Mcmillan Library Ref. The similarities between Phoenician and Hebrew are remarkable. April 2022 His most frequent title among later Phoenicians is "Baal Shamn" or "Lord of the Heavens." His epithets include "the Rider of the Clouds," and "the Mighty One." Nicene Creed History & Facts | What is the Nicene Creed? One of the sacrificial animals, a complete donkey, was found beneath the foundations of a building, leading to speculation this was a 'foundation deposit' placed before the building of a residential house. Mawlid History, Facts & Celebration | Eid Milad un Nabi Overview. Jesus engaged with a Samaritan woman and shared the good news about salvation with her in John 4:1-26. The Four Varnas in Hinduism | Overview, History & Texts, Maya Religion Overview, Gods & Rituals | The Religion of the Maya. Twentieth century archaeological excavations, however, unearthed several texts, as well as many artifacts, which provided previously unknown details and insights into the nature of Canaanite religion. However, Mot, too, had revived and mounted a new attack against Baal. were worshiped by the followers of the Canaanite religion; this is a detailed listing:[3], Canaanites believed that following physical death, the np (usually translated as "soul") departed from the body to the land of Mot (Death). Philosophy of Religion | Overview, History & Facts. However, the date of retrieval is often important. Names of God in Judaism | History, Examples & Significance. Canaan - New World Encyclopedia The gods were represented by images and symbols 5. Learn Religions. 2003 1953). Papyrus seems to have been the preferred writing medium, and these documents have simply decayed. Just what the cult object was we cannot determine with precision; some kind of wooden emblem, like contemporary Babylonian examples, has been proposed. An aura of divinity also surrounded the king. In the Urgaritic material, El is the consort of Ashera, who is described as the "mother of 70 gods.". Celtic Paganism History, Deities & Facts | Ancient Celtic Religion. Cathars Overview, History & Beliefs | What is Catharism? Angel Gabriel Jahannam Overview, Beliefs & Facts | What is Hell in Islam? Druze Religion: History & Beliefs | What is the Druze Religion? Spread Of Christianity [30], Canaanite religious practice had a high regard for the duty of children to care for their parents, with sons being held responsible for burying them, and arranging for the maintenance of their tombs. Babylon Igbo Tribe Religion & Culture | What is Odinala? The Ugaritic myths mention other deities whose roles are quite minor. Life-of-jesus Arianism in Christianity: History & Controversy | What is Arianism? Canaanite religious beliefs were polytheistic, with families typically focusing worship on ancestral household gods and goddesses, while honoring major deities such as El, Ashera, Baal, Anat, and Astarte at various public temples and high places. Tantra Overview, Practices & Facts | What is Tantric Buddhism? This ancient Syro-Palestinian paganism is of more than antiquarian interest. Golden Calf Story, Significance & Facts | Moses & the Golden Calf, Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem | History, Construction & Purpose. Genesis She figures as a fighter in behalf of Baal (Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament 137), indulges in an orgy of slaughter (ibid. After the palace is constructed, Ba'al gives forth a thunderous roar out of the palace window and challenges Mot. Tallai, the goddess of winter, snow, cold and dew, one of the three daughters of Ba'al Hadad. Scholasticism Overview & History | What is Scholastic Theology? With the aid of magical weapons given to him by the divine craftsman Kothar-wa-Khasis, Baal is victorious. Celtic Christianity History & Church | What is a Celtic Christian? ISBN links support NWE through referral fees, https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Canaanite_Religion&oldid=1018918, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License, Baalat or Baalitthe chief deity of Byblos, also identified with Astarte and, Baal-Hammongod of fertility and renewal in the Phoenician colonies of the Western Mediterranean, El ElyonSpecial title of El as "God most High", Kathirata group of goddesses appearing in the Ugartic texts as divine midwives, Kotharfull name Kothar-wa-Khasis, the skilled, clever god of craftsmanship and weapon-making, Lotanthe seven-headed sea serpent or dragon, the pet of, Melqartalso called Baal-Melkart, the god who is king of the city, the underworld, and the cycle of vegetation in Tyre, also the patron of the Israelite queens, Nikkalgoddess of fruit and orchards, married to Yarikh, Qadeshtuthe Holy One, goddess of love, also a title given to Asherah and related to the Egyptian goddess, Shalim and Shachartwin gods of dusk and dawn, Shamayimthe god of the sky or the heavens, TanitPhoenician lunar goddess, worshiped as the patron goddess at, Yarikhgod of the moon, after whom the city of Jericho was named; Lord of the sickle, provider of nightly dew; married to the goddess Nikkal. Church of Alexandria: Overview & History | What is the Church of Alexandria? Gospel of Matthew | Origin, Summary & Significance, Amen Overview, Usage & Facts | Origin of Amen. ed. (2021, September 4). Samhain Rituals & Traditions | What is the Festival of Samhain? 2019 The term also has mundane uses, such as "upper" (where the ending in both roots is a locative, not superlative or comparative), "top", or . Nestorian Christianity Overview & History | What is Nestorianism? [citation needed]. Although the biblical writers cast Canaanite religion as the antithesis of Israelite monotheism, historians of religion tend to view the early Israelite religion as largely evolving out of Canaanite culture, of which it was once part. ", What may be described in these verses is a process of El and Yahweh merging into the one supreme God and then reducing the other Canaanite deities into something less than gods altogether. Dussehra: Hindu Holiday Importance & History | What is Vijayadashami? This would mean that the Phoenician and Canaan's had at least one similar word in common, for the same people, but in different languages and at different points in time. The Assumption of Mary History & Significance | What is the Assumption? These rites have been confirmed by ancient texts written in cuneiform that were discovered in the 1928 excavation of Ugarit. Yahweh was worshiped in the Canaanite religion along with the other gods, rather than the supreme deity. Crucifixion of Jesus: Overview & Significance | Why was Jesus Crucified? In the Baal Cycle, Ba'al Hadad is challenged by and defeats Yam, using two magical weapons (called "Driver" and "Chaser") made for him by Kothar-wa-Khasis. Primitive Baptist History & Beliefs | What is a Hard Shell Baptist? Georgian Orthodox Church Origin & Beliefs | What is Orthodox Religion? October 2019 [38], Canaanite religion was strongly influenced by their more powerful and populous neighbors, and shows clear influence of Mesopotamian and Egyptian religious practices. Epic of Baal The latter are said to have "leaped about the altar" and to have "cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances till the blood gushed out upon them." Cuban Religion Origin & Beliefs | What is the Religion of Cuba? Cline, Austin. Hindu Sacred Places | Temples, Holy Sites & Pilgrimage Places, Islamic Clothing: Overview & Practices | Muslim Men & Women's Clothing. Shrove Tuesday: History, Traditions & Names | What is Shrove Tuesday? After their titanic but indecisive battle, Mot finally bows before Baal, leaving Baal in possession of the land and the undisputed regent of the gods. Hamsa History, Symbol & Facts | What is the Hand of Fatima? Definition Small, heavily robed human figures seated on high-backed chairs and wearing either caplike headdresses or tall conical crowns have often been identified as El. Canaan was situated at the crossroads of several cultures, and throughout its recorded history its art and literature illustrate a mixture of many elements: Egyptian, Mycenaean, Cretan, Hurrian, and Mesopotamian. Palm Sunday Facts, Related Scripture & Significance | What is Palm Sunday? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there" (Jer. Henotheism Overview, History & Examples | What is Henotheism? Church of the East: History & Schisms | Expansion of the Assyrian Church, Gospel of Luke in the New Testament | Summary & Analysis. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-were-the-canaanites-248830 (accessed May 1, 2023). PARABLE OF GOOD SAMARITAN v. ferm (New York 1950) 11143; Thespis (rev. Prophet Elijah Mikvah, Jewish Ritual Bath: Overview & Rules | What is a Mikvah? Jizya Tax Origin & Purpose | What is Jizya? Inti, Inca Sun God: History & Symbolism | Who was Inti? Exegesis Overview & Examples | What is Biblical Exegesis? Prophet Jeremiah We cannot know in much detail what the religions of these ancient societies were, but the books of. The Canaanite scribes who produced the Baal texts were also trained to write in Babylonian cuneiform, including Sumerian and Akkadian texts of every genre. Still others, such a Moloch, are known mainly from Hebrew texts, In Ugarit, the gods were called 'ilhm (elohim), or the children of El, a probable parallel to the the biblical "sons of God." Adultery Woman The Canaanite society placed a high value on agriculture as shown by the deities that controlled rain and drought. The deities listed below are the major ones mentioned in the Ugaritic and additional local texts, though various others were worshipped alongside them. The Bible characterized the Canaanites as idolatrous and immoral because they practiced polytheism, the worship of multiple gods. s. n. kramer (New York 1961). Similarly, Job 1:6 states that "One day the sons of God (also sometimes translated as "angels") came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.". The Canaanite god of pestilence, Resheph, has long been known through inscriptions from Cyprus and Zinjirli, and Cypriote bilingual texts identify him with Apollo. Sati, Hindu Goddess: History & Legend | Who is Devi Sati? Afterward, with the help of Athirat and Anat, Ba'al persuades El to allow him a palace. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Canaanite Religion | K. L. Noll - Brandon University Application Questions He also healed a Romans centurion's paralyzed servant (Matthew 8:5-13). It was based on nature/cosmic/cyclic/changes in seasons. There is mention of Ashtar who is depicted as competing unsuccessfully with both Yamm and Baal for possession of the earth. Ulama History & Traditions | What are Ulamas in Islam? Kings also played an important religious role and in certain ceremonies, such as the hieros gamos of the New Year, may have been revered as gods. Candlemas Origin & History | What is Candlemas? Kabbalah History, Book & Beliefs | What is Kabbalah? The Shakers: Religion History & Beliefs | What is Shakerism? The most probable etymology of the name El derives it from the root wl "to be strong, leader"; the form would be that of a stative participle [W. F. Albright, Archaeology and the Religion of Israel (Baltimore 1946) 72]. Jeremiah similarly denounces the common practice of Israelite families of offering honey cakes to the Queen of Heaven. Advent Overview & Examples | What is Advent Season? Glorify God characteristics of the canaanite region, December 2024 Asherahand later Ba'al and Astarte or Anatwas associated with a cult of fertility. Canaanite religion is the religion of all peoples living on the eastern Mediterranean seaboard prior to the Common Era. The Canaanites were also detailed in the ancient texts of Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, and Egypt. Early Israelite religion may once have shared the Canaanite belief in El and other gods, before the Jewish monotheistic tradition emerged. Benefit of Clergy: Overview & Origin | What was the Benefit of Clergy? Education in Islam: Overview & History | What is Islamic Education? May 2020 Symbols/idols/images were made to represent each god/goddess. Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism. Hanuman Overview & Facts | Anjaneya Swamy in Hinduism. It's not until the Amarna Letters from the mid-14th century BCE that we have Egyptian references to Canaan. The Athanasian Creed Overview & Significance | What is the Athanasian Creed? KCSE 2012 El was conceived as a mild old man; one of his titles is "El the Merciful" and the stress on this attribute, according to O. Eissfeldt [Journal of Semitic Studies 1 (1956) 37], may have served to moderate the Israelite concept of the severe Yahweh so as to stress more His paternal gentleness. Appro. The gods that the Canaanites worshipped were influenced by gods of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Hope As a result, they eventually received the same judgment the Canaanites experienced (Deut. However, the god of death and the underworld, Mot, soon lures Baal to his own death in the desert, spelling drought and ruin for the land.