What evidence exists for Canaanite religion from the 3rd millennium BC?
Clay tablets unearthed at Tell Mardikh in Syria date to the second half of the 3rd millennium BC. These Ebla tablets contain lists of offerings to El, Baal, and Dagon.
Questions about Canaanite religion
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who were the main deities in the four-tier divine structure of Canaanite religion?
El served as the creator god while his consort Asherah held the title of queen. Other significant deities included Baal, Anat, Astarte, and Dagon within this structured cosmic order.
How did the Baal Cycle narrative explain the cycle of death and rebirth in Canaanite religion?
Baal Hadad defeated Yam with Driver and Chaser but was swallowed by Mot causing a terrible drought until Anat attacked Mot with a knife. With Mot defeated Ba'al returned to refresh the Earth with rain mirroring agricultural patterns across the region.
What burial practices and afterlife beliefs characterized Canaanite religion during the Late Bronze Age?
Canaanites believed that following physical death the npš departed from the body to the land of Mot. Bodies were buried with grave goods including wine vessels found at Tel Megiddo along with offerings of food drink beeswax animal fat olive oil resin and vanilla.
Which Iron Age city-states developed distinct national deities tied to specific cities and peoples?
Chemosh served as the god of war and destruction and the national god of the Moabites and Ammonites. Milcom functioned as the national god of the Ammonites while Qos was the national god of the Edomites and Yahweh became the central figure of worship among the Israelites.