Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan (Library Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies) [Paperback]

John Day (Author)

Book Description

Series: Library Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies | Publication Date: December 1, 2002

This masterly book is the climax of over twenty-five years of study of the impact of Canaanite religion and mythology on ancient Israel and the Old Testament. It is John Day's magnum opus in which he sets forth all his main arguments and conclusions on the subject. The work considers in detail the relationship between Yahweh and the various gods and goddesses of Canaan, including the leading gods El and Baal, the great goddesses (Asherah, Astarte and Anat), astral deities (Sun, Moon and Lucifer), and underworld deities (Mot, Resheph, Molech and the Rephaim). Day assesses both what Yahwism assimilated from these deities and what it came to reject. More generally he discusses the impact of Canaanite polytheism on ancient Israel and how monotheism was eventually achieved.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Day is Professor of Old Testament Studies in the University of Oxford and Fellow and Tutor of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826468306
• ISBN-13: 978-0826468307
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yahweh Was Not Alone, January 5, 2003

By 

Virgil Brown (White Oak, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan (JSOT Supplement) (Hardcover)

Almost anyone reading this review knows that Yahweh was not the only deity in the Ancient Near East. However, if you are not Mark S. Smith, you probably cannot describe the relationship between Yahweh and these other gods and goddesses. This is what John Day's book is all about.

In regards to El, Day finds that Yahhweh and El were originally separate deities. El is portrayed in the Ugaritic texts as benevolent whereas Yahweh is sometimes a warrior, and El is not a storm god whereas Yahweh is. Though they were different, El did have an influence on Yahweh. Yahweh sometimes appears as aged and wise.

Of course El is not the only deity considered by Day. Yahweh's relationships to Baal, Asherah, Astarte, and Anat, the Sun, the Moon, and Lucifer, Mot, Resheph, Molech, and the Rephaim are all considered. Day concludes with a chapter on the rise of monotheism.

_Yahweh_ is an erudite book whose author did not write in a short period of time but who spent 25 years collecting sources. As such this book is worthy reading for *anyone* who
is interested in the religion of the ANE outside of the Bible.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb commentary on the impact of Canaanite polytheism, May 19, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan (JSOT Supplement) (Hardcover)

John Day's Yahweh And The Gods And Goddesses Of Canaan is impressive, scholarly, the product of meticulous research, and an essential, core title for any serious personal, professional, or academic reference collection or reading list on the subject of Canaanite religion and mythology on the development of Israel and the Old Testament literature. Day examines in detail the relationship between the Yahweh and the leading gods of Canaan including El, Baal, Asherah, Astarte, Anat, the astral deities (Sun, Moon, Lucifer), and the underworld deities (Mot, Resheph, Molech, the Rephaim). Of special note is Day's superb commentary on the impact of Canaanite polytheism on the development of Israelite monotheism. Very highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem Amongst the Pebbles Regardign Old Testament Study, October 27, 2011

By 

Gnostic Seeker - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan (Library Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies) (Paperback)

This is a must own for anyone interested in early Judaic thoughts and concepts regarding Yahweh and how the relationship between the Israelites and their neighbors the Canaanites left a profound effect not only on the concept of Yahweh but many other aspects of early Judaic belief/s.
The title of the book kind of says it all regarding what the subject matter entails. It shows the dramatic similarities between Yahweh and the Canaanite god El, as well as gets into detail regarding Yahweh's relationships with Baal, Asherah, as well as astral deities such as Lucifer and underworld deities such as Molech, Mot, and the Rephaim. And concludes with a brilliant chapter regarding the rise of monotheism.

This book is very complex and painstakingly thourough. So keep that in mind when considering purchasing this book. It is not meant to be an easy read (although the author does an excellent job of breaking everything down), but is rather a very comprehensive study book. This book belongs in the hands anyone seriously interested in a religious study or anyone in general interested in understanding specifically the primitive belief systems regarding the Canaanites and the Israelites, and the break to early monotheism. But I also highly recommend this book for anyone interested in cultural anthropologist as well that may have an interest in understanding these peoples ancient belief systems.

Happy reading.