Customer Reviews

Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan (JSOT Supplement)

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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.

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.

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.