Who is Yahweh - How a Warrior-Storm God became the God of the Israelites and World Monotheism

How did a warrior-storm god become Yahweh, the god of world Abrahamic monotheism? By tracing the earliest history of Yahweh ("The One Exists") to his origins in the area around Mt Seir to his immigration during the Bronze Age Collapse to the Judea Highlands around Shiloh, this episode explores the early history of the Israelite God. How did Yahweh and his Yahwism transform in theater of Canaanite religion - dominated by El, Ba'al, Asherah, Anat and other myth figures? What aspects of local religion did the Yahwists assimilate, reject and contend over in that process? This episode explore the early history of Yahweh and the rise of Yahweh henotheism/monolatry and primitive monotheism.
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New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - docs.google.com/document/d/1c...
Recommended Readings:
The Early History of God: Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel - amzn.to/4e6Bdo7
The Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Israel's Polytheistic Background and the Ugaritic Texts - amzn.to/3KJuD9X
Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic - amzn.to/4549Net
Beyond the Texts: An Archaeological Portrait of Ancient Israel and Judah - amzn.to/3X68eek
Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan - amzn.to/3x86I0p
God: An Anatomy - amzn.to/3VoQRD5
The Origin and Character of God - amzn.to/3V2agcx
The Religions of Ancient Israel: A Synthesis of Parallactic Approaches - amzn.to/4e0cLVB
Documents of Judean Exiles and West Semites in Babylonia in the Collection of David Sofer - amzn.to/4e0v1Ox
Judeans in Babylonia A Study of Deportees in the Sixth and Fifth Centuries BCE - amzn.to/3V6dSdv
Yahweh before Israel - amzn.to/3X3mUuE
No Other Gods: Emergent Monotheism in Israel - amzn.to/3wXfDSp

[@BSteenbeke]

"When we allow our faith to dictate history, we betray both" - Esoterica I like it

[@akidodogstar5460]

Facts matter.

[@johnmascola3403]

I need to remember that quote. Thank You Doctor.

[@osborn.illustration]

That was a great quote! Based.

[@IpsissimusPrime]

Yeah, that intro!

[@geraldmeehan8942]

Spoken like a true scholar

[@Dontjudgeme420]

My Youth Pastor once told me that studying Theology as a person of faith can really be a test of that faith. Having to confront your beliefs with facts about early human understanding. This is such a great essay. RIP Uncle Randy.

[@Msmoocat55]

The Lutherans fix that problem by saying one can't use the historical-critical method of interpretation because the Bible isnt an historical account of events. You can only use the words in the Bible. And maybe Martin Luther. Something like that. My theology is pretty rusty.

[@paulschuckman6604]

Independent search for Truth! The more I learn the stronger my faith has become. So many things get changed with each translation that lately I've gone to the Hebrew text to try and understand things. Once it's been translated into Greek so many things get changed and then another translation into Latin or English even more changes to the text and the meaning behind it.

[@sophigenitor]

I'm from Germany and I had religious studies at school. One of my teacher was studying for a doctorate in theology and he described his seminary as atheism factory.

[@memeboi6017]

@@sophigenitor sounds very cynical, studying this kind of stuff really should never drive anyone to atheism unless there were already some preverbal wolves in the sheep pen.

[@sophigenitor]

@@memeboi6017 Why would someone who isn't 100% committed to their faith spend the time and effort to study theology?

[@damenwhelan3236]

A rabbi once told me. "You want to know your god? Look inside your self. Wanna know about history? Ask me." And man was he right. Im glad i found your videos.

[@lebladful]

You want to know your God "Allah" ( Elohim) Read the Coran "Yahwew" was the god of the people of Sinaï as in egyption papyrus reveal

[@LostSoul10K]

@@lebladful 😂

[@ozgur1243]

When i look inside my self all i see is microbs. If wanna learn history i dig on the archelogy and read history. They are telling fairytales not truth.

[@Champ4Jesus]

@@lebladful you do know that Muhammad wasn’t even knowledgeable on the “previous revelations of God” and in the book you speak of is quoted to “be all ears and believe anything he is told” and the quran sites inconsistent and unreliable stories from the Christian/jewish lore that’s not even in the Bible or historically accurate. He just heard from word of mouth because he was also an illiterate and uneducated caravan merchant

[@avtzuko7007]

@@lebladful 🤡

[@sean9321]

“When we allow our faith to dictate history, we really betrayed both” love it, you have my respect sir!

[@alihady-qc6xy]

Our Akkadian. ancestors, around 2500 to 2000 B.C., worshiped God and called Him (Aya) and Eal) in Arabic is a letter calling out to someone far away. But they made the angels control the universe without referring to God, so they established what is called (the complex of the gods) consisting of multiple statues, each statue symbolizing the king of angels # Therefore, each king had a specific function, so we find the complex of gods among the Akkadians (ancestors of the Babylonians) consisting of small statues It symbolizes some important angels. Prophet Abraham in the time of the Akkadians around the year 2000 BC, and he took advantage of people going out to celebrate one of their holidays, and destroyed the small statues and put the ax in the neck of the large statue without destroying it # which symbolizes him with the angel of death or (Azar) and in Arabic his names are (Azrael) and (Asher) In the Assyrian civilization # and the Egyptians called him. (Osiris) 🤔 Abraham's goal is to teach his people # If he controls life and death as you think without referring to God, why didn't his companions save # other small gnomes from collapsing or dying

[@PaoloVolpeFireFox]

​@@alihady-qc6xytu eri testimone del tutto😳😳😳?!!

[@archangel_one]

What if you have faith in TRUTH?

[@alihady-qc6xy]

Life is short and we will die and we do not know what will happen to us in the world after death. Just as you believe in accurate scientific research in this life and do not accept random research that is not based on the conditions of science... Likewise, you must be certain that the world after death is also based on wise, non-material laws. Therefore, Our interpretations and analyzes must begin with faith first

[@bobhogan9878]

@@archangel_one whose truth?

[@ScottJB]

It's refreshing and impressive that you, as a Jewish person (or any Christian or Muslim for that matter) are honestly engaging with the evidence on this. Thank you!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep, this is an evidence based, academic channel.

[@stultusvenator3233]

Millions have done this, engaging in the "evidence: they are now known as Atheists as a result.

[@stultusvenator3233]

@@ScottJB Clearly the Abrahamic god does not exist. All claimed gods fit perfectly within mad-made imagines and the evolution of such thought. Just Archaic nonsense. This does not on its own eliminate any god existing. Just none have been demonstrated, have any evidence or are in anyway involved in human affairs. Some proof or evidence may come to light, but we are looking at such a low chance, beyond 0.1 X10 to the power of 82 conservatively. I would be more concerned about getting run over by Big-Foot on a E-Scooter.

[@stultusvenator3233]

@@ScottJB No gods to calculate chances on so Zero, I said I was being conservative just giving the number of Atoms in the Universe. Pretending there are questionable assumptions is ridiculous. You can believe in the golden horned rainbow Unicorn for all I care. No evidence means I don't have to give a shit. Claim it has wings and can fly into space then it is so absurd and counter to known facts, it is a false claim and does not exist. If you are now forced to remake and redefine, to reinvent and mold a god "who was unchanging forever" to fit modern knowledge and criticisms, that should be your big give away hint it is man-made and FAKE. Pick another one.

[@tyrchtemph1881]

@@ScottJB I don't think the "odds of a god existing" are relevant. If there's an unknown deity that actually exist but appear to be undetectable and non-intervening.....then there is no real significance to making any claims about it since there's nothing tangible to give us any information on it. We don't really know what defines a god aside from our own imaginations. No one knows what its attributes would be. There are no observations, no confirmable detectable information. The idea of gods being the product of human imagination is reflected in the human record with many different types of deities, entities, or creatures within stories amongst ancient cultures. If reality produces no definable data on the existence of a god or what composes a god...and then someone goes beyond that to claim: that a specific god does exist, or to know what a god wants, thinks, says, does, or how many there are, or how you should act, or treat certain groups of peoples......well, those are ASSERTIONS. Asserted claims. Someone would claim there are no gods if that's what the evidence suggest. Just like people say there are no magical leprechauns, because there's never been any detectable evidence to affirm those supernatural claims that leprechauns exist and can grant wishes. The atheist argument is basically a REJECTION of unfounded asserted claims, not that a deity has to conform to any type of form. Sure, someone can claim that a god(s) may exist, but they can also say "if one does....we don't have any information to say anything on the matter. So, we won't make any such statements until detectable information becomes available to support our position". That would be the proper route to go.

[@KyokujiFGC]

It's interesting that he was a warrior storm god, given that the Greeks also worshipped a pantheon of gods led by a storm god. I guess that says a lot about how deeply storms affected early civilization as a whole.

[@NefariousKoel]

Implications are that the prehistoric Indo-European migrations across Eurasia are a likely origin. Their chief god was a storm god. It spread all over and seems to have been adapted to cultures in many places. Which wasn't unusual, at all, for polytheistic religions. Also, much later during the Late Bronze Age, one of the tribes of the "Sea Peoples" (raiders), whom the Pharaoh had settled in the Levant after defeating them in a battle, as part of a peace settlement, is believed to have originated in Bronze Age Mycenaean Greece . The "Peleset" tribe, as they were called by the ancient Egyptians. Believed to have then become the Philistines. Along with the mention in the Egyptian history, there have also reportedly been cultural artifacts from that period found in the area also linking that theory of migration/settlement by Mycenaeans. Although a storm god would've likely already been a staple in the area by that point, so I doubt the Mycenaean pantheon would've changed much in regards to that.

[@seabertotter4325]

@@NefariousKoel I think that George Carlin said it well that we should worship the Sun. Most of our overt energy comes from it. Storms are really the result of the radiance of the Sun as the cause. But then space itself seems to be a void that is jam packed with potential energy. Is this void at a high level of conscious that only non verbal part of the human mind can intuit? Do we misunderstand it and call it the Creator of the Universe? How is possible to be separate from it?

[@stevenv6463]

Baal was sometimes identified with YHWH or El and in the Hellenistic time period there was worship of Baal Zeus.

[@seabertotter4325]

@@stevenv6463 Those were the days when YHWH was having a Baal!

[@stevenv6463]

@@edwardvgarrick8748 Isn't Yahweh said to ride cherubs, not clouds?

[@pierrevillemaire-brooks4247]

"When we allow our faith to dictate our history , we really just betrayed both" Well spoken Sir. I like how well versed you are about a myriad of different cultures and theologies , and how you are able to take a step back and outline connections between those without taking a dogmatic tone. This approach makes it much more palatable to those that are less anchored in a particular faith.

[@KalebAaron-xn1gr]

Agree with you and may I recommend you a book that full of historical evidence called Vain Traditions.

[@HypervoxelRBX]

It’s not accurate at all

[@Iknowtoomuchable]

When you beat Jehovah's first stage, but then He rips off His shirt and yells, "NOW I FIGHT AS YAHWEH, WARRIOR!"

[@festina_lente7655]

That was funny😒

[@pamelapurcell8574]

😂

[@Dussmasterzero]

You win

[@musclboy5]

🤣 you got me

[@YtChsr]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@alcosmic]

I can't express how much I appreciate your integrity

[@beepboop204]

agree with you on that one

[@lilitheden748]

Wow, that’s all I can say. Keeping your religion and history apart testifies of great integrity. I watched this video with great interest and am looking eagerly forward to the second episode.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I don't dictate the history I do my best to be as honest and thorough as I can. I just deeply appreciate everyone coming on the journey with me.

[@beepboop204]

@@TheEsotericaChannel i think we all likewise deeply appreciate your willingness to be a pathfinder 🙏

[@dreadlordfluffy1991]

I'll second that!

[@brucebehner4142]

It's just so enlightening to watch a man wearing a yarmulke, speak truth and history even while it may negate one's religion. I am Christian, and do the same thing, although a lot of what I say is looked down upon by my congregation. It's hard to always tie truth and religion into the same conversation. Most people who are emphatic about either will never agree. You're awesome and please keep doing what you are doing!

[@user-te9jq6ne3d]

I understand the struggle very much. I am not a closet atheist, but I perhaps am a closet skeptic. For years I have felt a degree of obligation to "look under the hood" to try and sort what is clearly man-made vs what I think still has some lingering sense of divinity, but it is a lonely road and I speak of it little.

[@rhodarose3451]

I too have been trying to sort it out for many years. I do know that the one who spoke of love, mercy and forgiveness asked us to call his Creator Father. This tells me up to this point he had no other name to point to as to the Character of our True Creator. As I look in this world of war and chaos it seems a god of war is in charge here. What name is this god mostly called upon in worldly religions? Yahweh, the god of war and upheaval. This just confirms that maybe our Creator Father is not the same deity if we seek love, mercy and forgiveness. I no longer call myself a "christian" because it is said in John 15:14-15 that if we do as he says we are called Friends, and we will Know All things. I find this as being True.

[@MoonMan-Moonie]

@@epicofgilgamesh9964 I’ve actually heard of this, but I think it’s looked at a little incorrectly. In the Scripture it actually does talk about the Israelites including Yahweh into Canaanite religion, that the main thing the prophets preached against.

[@wesleyturner1979]

It can’t negate the existence of an omnipresent and omnipotent one God viewpoint as in most of our current religions. God is God and is all things. Whatever name or characteristics or even dogmatic religion you attach to it, God is God and will always be all things. It is kid of soothing to take the stress of of worrying about which cannon is the correct way to worship.

[@MoonMan-Moonie]

@@user-cg2tw8pw7j God is nothing like humans, the mere fact that he created them and the universe displays how immeasurably different from everything he is.

[@henrydavidpurple8323]

I find your videos endlessly fascinating as a non religious person. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@aimeeread8858]

there is people that were claiming egypt is black because kemet meant dark soil,, i stipulated to them if you going to have that logic than it would also be applied ->to the land of Milk and Honey would be a white Milky-skin with Honey blonde-hair , so the land of milk and honey would have nothing to do with bees and cows or black africans. the land of milk and honey would have everything to do with Milky skin and Honey coloured hair in their own afrocentric logic. the Afrocentric quickly block me and then go on pretending they can have it both ways Black egyptian because of black-land kemet but then ignore the land of white-Milk and yellow-Honey and pretend that means the land of bees an cows?. they cannot handle the truth even when you tell them.

[@JimObsolete]

Humans are easily deceived.He is the demon who came out of the burning bush

[@WeBeJayMin]

@@JimObsolete I feel sorry for you, for the world that made you feel this guy is a threat. My wishes you find peace

[@sush1-ofc1]

@@JimObsolete sir, are you a gnostic?

[@KalebAaron-xn1gr]

Yes, indeed! And there is a special book that explained paganism, it is called Vain Traditions and back up with historical evidence. You may want to read it!

[@richardwaltz7878]

This is seriously one of the Top 10 videos on KZbin

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Definitely not better than 8 year olds opening Legos

[@nozecone]

Not to mention dogs cuddling kittens!@@TheEsotericaChannel

[@TRZN91]

@@nozecone dang you might actually have him with that one. I love deep diving into topics like that. But who doesn't love some cuddling baby animals? Especially across species lines!

[@lebladful]

You want to know your God "Allah" ( Elohim) Read the Coran "Yahwew" was the god of the people of Sinaï as in egyption papyrus reveal

[@heartsfear9216]

Did you watch the video? ​@@lebladful

[@Purwapada]

"Severed hands flying around Anat like a storm of locusts." damn that so metal!

[@dannylo5875]

"Bat metal Hands hard Rockin"

[@JakeSmith-em5sh]

Llamas-with-hats vibes.

[@dannylo5875]

@@JakeSmith-em5sh That made me think about how progressive religions are becoming. "Showers of blood" "fire" "doom" "Zombie Apocalypse"

[@junglie]

@@dannylo5875 progressive? more like regressive.....

[@Dice-Z]

@@junglie Wouldn't that imply they were better before?

[@ForksandFreaks]

The simultaneous outpouring of academic and religious integrity alongside personal honesty and incredibly entertaining content across your livestreams, videos and interviews is truly the most precious gift KZbin has received since its very inception. I hope that content like yours, Dr. Angela’s, Seekers of Unity’s, Religion for Breakfast’s, Let’s Talk Religion’s and the Modern Hermeticist’s will inspire many others as much as it has inspired me. This little corner of KZbin stands as a rock amongst tempestuous waters, and though scholarship and historical research is as fluid and evolving as it always has been, the recognition of that fact is what separates the grain from the chaff. My most sincere and joyous gratitude goes out to you.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Comments like this makes it so worth it - so many profound and sincere thanks.

[@KalebPeters99]

I couldn't have put it any better!

[@agender7052]

Completely agree, this is my favourite corner of this platform and this channel in particular is probably, for my tastes, the single best channel on the entire platform in ANY corner of it.

[@F1RST_BLUD]

Best comment ever tops mine, and I comment very well always but very glad you for your comment, we should be putting out other channels more often and viewers and creators for the rest of us. I plan to this on my videos! Shoutout to the channels I follow. Stay tuned…

[@Ark_bleu]

This has the vibe of a canticle and It made me smile hard. (A very Well earned thanks, of course.)

[@papusman]

I read Mark Smith's "The Early History of God" a while ago, but while I found it fascinating, I struggled with digesting a lot of it. This video truly helped me grasp a lot of the finer points. Thank you!

[@dillonzehnder9313]

Thank you for even attempting to cover such an enormous concept in such a short time. Really cool stuff.

[@rocketsummer]

yahweh really played the long game but i gotta respect the hustle

[@finehowareyou]

😂😂😂

[@joannechisholm4501]

Indeed time tell the world the god is a con man

[@nauticdixons]

I swear, that's exactly what I said 😂

[@aprilhumen1229]

I have recently come to this understanding. It’s blown my mind.

[@mick20075]

You must be a tate fan 😂😂😂

[@theplaguepadart3743]

"When we allow our faith to dictate history, we betray both" You have my sub purely for this. Absolute Facts

[@israelortiz2690]

That got me too! Bravo

[@gintograce381]

Saaaame!

[@silencemeviolateme6076]

This video completely ignores the Egyptian influence in Judaism.

[@christopherwilliams2954]

Great video! I LOVE this subject and pretty much everything you cover on your channel…the “Recommended Readings” section in the description is truly appreciated! Thank you, you are scholar and a gentleman!

[@asdfghjkl2261]

SO thankful for the book recommendations at the end. I was getting ready to ask for suggestions in the comments, but you succinctly addressed this at the end. Have a great day!

[@Ancin47]

ChatGPT could never write an introduction as beautiful and concise as the one we just heard!!!!

[@need2know739]

It can now.🤔

[@moonpearl4736]

Chat GPT: For example, throughout history, religious beliefs have been used to justify wars, genocide, and other atrocities. In such cases, the use of faith to dictate history can be seen as a betrayal of the values and principles that are supposed to guide religious practice. Furthermore, by allowing faith to dictate history, the accuracy and integrity of historical records may be compromised, leading to a distorted or incomplete understanding of the past. As such, this quote suggests that it is important to separate religious beliefs from the interpretation and recording of historical events to ensure a more accurate and truthful understanding of our collective history.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

​@@need2know739 we'll end up making the Borg at some point with this stuff ;)

[@nyakwarObat]

​@@TheEsotericaChannel you should read the wars of gods and men by zechariah sitchin

[@davidenwah3413]

It can now

[@nimmieamee1988]

When this got to El and Yahweh combining, and then Yahweh vs Baal, I was riveted, like I was watching some big action movie. You do a great job telling these topics!

[@thricedaly]

Your scholastic humility is impressive, I saw no shortcomings here. Thank you for sharing, Dr. Most informative, very, very, interesting. ❤

[@concaveearth]

I very much like the way you present the material, setting aside any biases, religious or otherwise. Outstanding. And the one line , "When we allow our faith to dictate history, we betray both," is truly profound. I'll never forget that. I cannot thank you enough for giving your thoughts to the people of our world.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Make Sure to Subscribe & Consider supporting Esoterica by becoming a monthly Patron - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel a one time donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel or the Super Thanks - Your support is profoundly appreciated!

[@scarletleigh7273]

Sir, I am confusion, where is the merch store!?? Been searching for the link in every video since the first time you mentioned it. What am I missing?

[@beepboop204]

i think you have the ideal temperament and perspective. love your stuff

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Store tab on the channel page - thanks for asking!

[@beepboop204]

@@nathanielbarraza760 lol you mean the person who says global warming is gods judgment? do you have any familiarity with this channel or no? keep pseudoscience and misinformation away from this place. this is a place for academic material.

[@beepboop204]

@@alexlobato-nv6lx 32:39 i do think

[@JALaflinOfficial]

Fantastic! I've studied the origins of yhwh for so long and never heard it put this succinctly before. I always learn new things on your channel. Thank you!

[@crazygrl1203]

Another channel recommended this one and I’m grateful I found this one! I had been confused trying to do my own research on clarifying some of exactly what was covered here. I actually found more than one could ask! Thank you for the wonderful material!

[@AlessandroSalvatores]

I’ve been raised as Catholic and I find your video enlightening and informative, no one in many years has ever explained to me the historical origin of the God I worshipped for so many years. Thank you.

[@jddwyer6089]

If the historical origins of gods were exposed, all of the Churches would lose their meal ticket.

[@AlessandroSalvatores]

@@jddwyer6089 You probably right, personally more I learn about history of religions more I believe in a superior being.

[@gunkwretch3697]

I really like that humility, scholarship is really just a process of "failing better"

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep anything else is hubris

[@MorningAndEveningStar]

As soon as El assimilation came up, I was just waiting for that Psalm 82 shout-out, and on the edge of my seat when you mentioned El's divine council. You made my day! Thank you! And I am deeply impressed how well you can summarize in just over forty minutes here, what I'd consider the most memorable and significant chunk of my undergraduate studies. And I still learned a thing or two! I found your channel maybe two or three weeks ago, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. The depth and breadth of your knowledge on this scholarship blows me away.

[@wannabe_scholar82]

I know!!! El and Yahweh is such a complex, fun, and complicated issue and the fact he sums it up pretty well in 40ish minutes is impressive as hell

[@michaellimb5805]

0pp

[@johnnada9058]

Hebrew version of Joshua 24:14 is another great verse showing that people cannot continue conflating Yahweh with the Elohim. It says to worship Yahweh and put down the Elohim (that are repeatedly mentioned in Genesis).

[@Mortismors]

​@@johnnada9058also the connections between Chemosh/Utu and Elohim further distinguish them from Yahweh.

[@amenhalleluyah1111]

​@@johnnada9058 these people have ruined and butchered both hebraic meaning of words and Old English sub put down Elohim Elohim means god simply so it says put down weird gods are false gods strange Gods strange Idols that's what it means roughly and EL is male and was adopted to Latin if you look at old Latin classic Latin they don't have that it was adopted from hebraic classic writing but if you cannot find it in the Bible or modern Torah none of these Scholars are actual Hebrews they made up their own religion.

[@samy0001985]

6:00 "The moment we allow our faith to dictate history we really betrayed both" is the line which I will follow to see history. You have given me such a great teaching thanks for this. 🙏Respect🙏 from INDIA🇮🇳

[@KalebAaron-xn1gr]

Agree with you and may I recommend you a book that full of historical evidence called Vain Traditions.

[@NomadNothing]

I never realized Yahweh had such a long history before the Israelites. Thank you for taking the time to make such a difficult video.

[@brianfitch5469]

It's destroys their narrative as the chosen ones. So you won't hear about it typically.

[@andrejones2147]

What do you mean ? Did you not read the Bible ? It starts in Genesis ! There was a whole world before he flooded it … and then the time of Noah until Abraham’s until Israel was many many years… where do you think God went all this time ?

[@potassium1311]

@@andrejones2147 I think he's referring to the more secularly agreed upon history of the word, dealing with "yaweh" in a more anthropological sense, instead of referring to the god of the bible/torah/quran which he may or may not believe in

[@jamesn3122]

@andrejones2147 you sound like a goof. Adults are talking about history, hush now.

[@YogiMcCaw]

I usually have no patience for videos in which one guy just stares into the camera and delivers his monologue, but Dr Justin Sledge actually captured all my attention because what he was saying was so deep and evocative. I found myself replaying short segments over again to make sure I was following what he was saying. I almost never do that with anyone else's videos.

[@DrrGHp98]

I'm literally binge watching all your videos, you're so freaking awesome! ✨

[@redalchemy7322]

Probably the most conceptually interesting video I've watched in years. Thank you for putting all of this together! It was a joy to watch

[@devinmccrorey4911]

This is my favorite episode so far. Your research is so in depth it boggles the mind. And your dedication to truth over belief is noble...This episode made so much sense of the Yhwh of the Bible. Information is a powerful tool

[@bobfrancis123]

“If we allow our faith to dictate our history, we’ve really just betrayed both.” That is a powerful quote that I will do my damndest to never forget. Absolute truth!

[@thefool3424]

It doesn't make any sense. You can't prioritize something over your faith otherwise you don't actually have faith in it.

[@FluidThinker]

@@thefool3424 your name is stunningly fitting to your perspective. Do you still believe that we originated from 2 humans?

[@joaomartins8758]

This has got to be one of the most interesting content I've come across on KZbin in YEARS. I'll be sure to check out the rest of your channel! Seems like the kind of thing I would binge watch.

[@clarkesensei4651]

Thanks for making these videos. You are far more intelligent and credible than the vast majority of KZbinrs.

[@Jason-cz3bv]

Fart

[@KalebAaron-xn1gr]

Indeed, may I recommend you a book that full of historical evidence called Vain Traditions. Amazing book!

[@widdershins1796]

Whenever I watch a video by Esoterica, I feel like I'm getting a University lecture FAR more engaging, fascinating, and Incredibly thought provoking than anything I've learned in a lecture theatre. Thank you for sharing your knowledge Doctor.

[@nicholastaylor8613]

As an archaeology student and folklore enthusiast who has thus far put off reading the bible, this video was a nice contextualization of so many familiar ideas. Thank you.

[@samwallaceart288]

My favorite section of the Bible is _Samuel_ and _Kings_ (obviously cuz I'm named after it lol). It's an excellent jumping-in point for modern readers that covers the decision to appoint the first king of the Hebrews, how the head of the temple Samuel had a whole bunch of reasons why having a king is a terrible idea but went ahead and appointed one due to pressure from the people, going all the way up to the reign of King David and all the pros and cons that came with that. Samuel / Kings is a straight 4 books of solid narration focused on just a few consistent characters in-depth and why they made the decisions they made. Unlike books like Deuteronomy or even Exodus, the whole David arc holds up really well in terms of readability and narrative focus. Could easily be adapted into some _Game of Thrones_ type drama if you dug into the history around it and fleshed out the enemy factions a little.

[@RomeoEchoDelta]

Very interesting evolution of concepts, I'm surprised I never bothered to look into this more. Actually adds quite a bit of context I was missing out on. I feel like I learned a lot. Thank you for the impartiality as well, its refreshing to see someone who is still capable of being so.

[@hextraordinaire2347]

KZbin's been recommending some really good channels recently. I love this type of content

[@Theprofessorator]

I can't express how long I've been looking for a video like this. Thank you!

[@seafoxx777]

I tried talking about the origins of Yahweh with one of my Christian friends (she’s extremely interested in polytheistic religions, to the point where she markets herself as an expert on them) in a really friendly way and she acted as if it was the most blasphemous thing anyone could ever say.

[@Moonlitwatersofaqua]

The bible in general does have this running theme of God being p i s s e d whenever you try to worship anyone except him. There are so many stories that have this hook like of you will be punished if you don't worship god and only god. or bad things will happen to you if you don't worship god. So yeah, to the uninitiated, talking about the polytheistic origins of Judaism is blasphemy. Hopefully you're friend warms up to this. :P

[@macmoney2043]

because the bible's God is actually yahweh .An 8th dimentinal being ,A diety .

[@seafoxx777]

@@macmoney2043 lol

[@wizardofahhhs759]

God says in the Bible that he's a jealous god and that no other shall come before Him.

[@BlackSeranna]

I don’t think one can market someone as an expert in different religions unless they separate themselves from feelings, instead focusing on facts and the stories that happen around the deities.

[@sentient.ball.of.stardust]

This is the first time I see someone talk about this and I'm so excited as the entire Yahwe/El thing has been on my mind for years and years.

[@AlbinoTuxedo]

You have swiftly become one of my favorite channels on this website! Every video is filled with such dense information! Especially this one, i feel like i am understanding so much of the imagery and symbolism of the bible through this analysis

[@courtneygraham1905]

I so appreciate this video! There was A LOT of dense information, but it answered some questions I've had for decades. See, I was "that kid" in Sunday school that asked the awkward questions, labeled a "doubting Thomas" from about 2nd or 3rd grade. When I was 12 or 13 I asked, " What happened to change God from a God of War to a God of love and peace? It sounds like multiple personality disorder to me." And was promptly kicked out for "being disruptive." Finally! I found a scholarly video that provides a reasonable and nearly scientific explanation. Thank you, so very much!

[@nathaniellassen]

Wow, you nailed it as a young kid!! Most adults are oblivious or in denial

[@sweetdreamscr]

Yes I always wondered that, first and second testament God have never seem to have anything to do with each other

[@LogicallyKnot]

I've always asked questions too. I grew up Southern Babtist so the switch was waiting on me when I got home. Sometimes the belt, depending on which parent was hitting me.

[@SaintHierophant]

I've watched this 4 times on a loop so far. It's so fascinating. Thank you for this.

[@dimasgomez]

As he said himself, there is a lot of content about it. Don't fixate too much on his perspective, although it is a very good one. It is his in the sense that he put it together, but he would not claim credit over it. Learning from his scientific rigor, spread your wings!

[@mrjdgibbs]

It's important not to underestimate the influence of Zoroastrianism post exile in the conception of Yahweh. The tension you speak of between a universal god and a porochial god is the tension between henotheism yahwehism snd monotheistic Zoroastrianism post exposure to the Persian empire. Between Yahweh and ahura Mazda

[@jazmendunham7666]

Did ahura Mazda have bearing on the old testament/intertestamental understanding of Satan? For instance...in the way the Greek Pan shaped that entity's physiognomy?

[@grimble4564]

​@@jazmendunham7666 idk but that would certainly be a great subject for a graduate thesis

[@hersheysbar28]

@@jazmendunham7666 From what I hear actually, yes! The conflict between Ahura Mazda and Ahriman is thought to have influenced the relationship between God and Satan, turning it into more of an adversarial relationship than what it was in Judaism.

[@Nauro-zg7yp]

This is, without a doubt, the most amazing content I've ever seen. I have *always* wanted to see a well researched, documented series on esoteric/occult beliefs and theology, since the early 2000s, and finding this channel is like scratching an itch that's been just out of reach for 30 years. Thank you so much for making this so accessible and engaging. :)

[@abaker4692]

Really? Most amazing ever?

[@lordgoogoo6969]

Your content has been so healing for me, it gives such a real, refreshing, full picture to religion.

[@LVPVS85]

Amazing video, as always. Thank you, Justin, for your attention and absolute intelectual honesty.

[@NAB9717]

Let's not forget. This is a much needed channel and we'll presented on convieniant portable, handheld device.

[@LethalDragon1]

I enjoyed your episode... Thank you for making it. I know the task was immense.

[@Noise-Conductor]

This concept of blending 2 different Gods into 1 needs more attention. Thanks for the info.

[@necurrence1776]

Dr. Sledge, your research is immensely appreciated. I really believe this is how people should study religion in general. By looking at it from the very begining and from all points of view. By not letting your findings offend you or your audience. But rather by keeping one's head clear and being impartial.

[@LucasRodrigues-fg4ib]

Your content is a gem in the caves of such controversial topics. Thank you so much for bringing them forth! ❤

[@KalebAaron-xn1gr]

Yes, indeed! And there is a special book that explained paganism, it is called Vain Traditions and back up with historical evidence. You may want to read it!

[@azazelsgoat]

Great analysis of such a deep topic in under an hour! It's amazing how the origins and fusion of the southern god Yahweh with the northern Canaanite god El also fits with what is hidden in plain sight in the Hebrew text.

[@Basaltmbl]

You achieved what you wanted with this episode, for me at least. Taking what information you gave and putting into both context and a pithy content was fantastic and a perfect setting for me to learn something interesting and useful about a topic I would never have delved into otherwise. Thank you so very much.

[@miiiserable]

i second this

[@mdlahey3874]

Another quite splendid episode, pitched just right so as not to overwhelm the non-specialist, nor to bore those with a little more familiarity with this dauntingly dense topic. 🙏

[@clockworkgnome]

Love this video, a nice summation of what I’ve been studying the last year. Makes me feel that I’m actually learning from my pile of books instead of having it pushed right back out of my head by random internet stuff.

[@jillgoodman1515]

Great quality of information and production! I appreciate it, thank you ❤

[@louzander]

The content is super interesting and enlightening, but I also want to compliment your presentation. Your narrative is easy to follow and I appreciate your dry and subtle humor. Definitely subscribing!

[@sin3231]

Every god's lifespan is equivalent to the lifespan of the culture that supports it

[@MrGrumpyGills]

💯

[@fagica]

This is a phenomenal tour de force. I truly appreciate your work and admire your integrity in presenting this topic. As you said, the field is stunningly complex and requires a lifetime of study and research to grasp even partially the myriad of related issues. You did a fantastic job. Bravo.

[@morganwatson2046]

I am so impressed you even tackled this topic let alone did such a good and thorough job. Speaking of your frequent jokes during the video of " why isn't this a heavy metal song ? " that totally reminds me of an obscure game people can play online ( not released in full. More like doing rock paper scissors in that anyone can play it and everyone owns it ) called " Bible Verse or Heavy Metal lyrics " where you just say either a bible verse or heavy metal lyrics and everyone else guesses which of the 2 things it is :3

[@Yamikaiba123]

Actually, I study in the historical musicology of Hebrew recitation, and to tell you the truth, a lot of the Hebrew Bible's poetry very well could have sounded like what we call 'Rock' or 'Metal'. We can at best reconstruct tradition-strands of the melodic motion of any given piece, but for Rhythm, we are on much more solid ground. I've successfully decoded the syllable-lengths of most song-poetry corpuses (it's not easy to do completely, because rules for syllable length evolved along with peoples's conception of what constitutes a syllable, and thus the length of vowels and the weight of consonants themselves evolved with the Hebrew language- and so older and newer poetry in the Hebrew Bible are not all as rhythmically even when certain later ways of pronunciation are applied... but most of it does work well when the oldest ways are inferred/reconstructed and applied.) Anyway, yeah. Rhythmically, I mean, there are many songs in the Tanakh that remind me of metal. Psalm 2 reminds me of Power Metal, for example.

[@sarahrosen4985]

That sounds fun! A musical version of Hassid or Hipster. 😊

[@lowrydan111]

This is hilarious!

[@Stoneworks]

This video is so calming for how fascinating the subject matter is

[@mcacosplay6160]

Why the hell are you here

[@nihiqallam5616]

Ayo😢

[@kirtisawant9288]

You really gave so much information in such a short time and that too without us getting bored. Thank you for your efforts, keep up the good work.

[@michaelp.3369]

This has got to be one of the most educational videos that I've seen in a long time. Good job.😊

[@NoBudgetBits-]

I just love, love, LOVE this guy! He’s beautiful, wonderful, and somehow taps into our universal, inquisitive mind. I admire how he deftly balances between the casual and intellectual without pulling any punches or “dumbing it down.” But as he is a professor, I imagine he’s quite well practiced at that. I’m grateful for his generosity to a plebeian like myself. The Socrates of our time. Thanks for believing in your audience. Bravo!

[@cyrandeiro]

dude, thank you! the script, the content, the humor, everything! TKS!

[@gregorydodge5925]

That was explained about as well as I have heard anyone. Its such a complex subject that you were able to navigate in a short clip. This was the first time I have watched any of your episodes. I will be sure to watch more.

[@nedwardmumford7525]

I’m an early career RE teacher with a background in philosophy, and this video is one of the most interesting things I have come across in any of my studies. It is absolutely fascinating and so insightful. Your comment at the start; “if we allow faith to dictate our history, we betray both.” Absolutely electrifying.

[@kaminsrocks]

This was incredibly useful. Thank you so much for taking a pass at this difficult subject.

[@FernandaDMA]

I cannot express nigh how much I am loving this channel. It gives me so much inspired ideas! Thank you doctor!

[@rivalism]

Based on how much I have seen this shared all over Social Media, I predict this will be one of your most popular videos. Great stuff.

[@silentobserver4425]

This is a truly profound and powerful episode.

[@gabeangel8104]

This is absolutely fascinating, thank you for making this video. I really respect your ability to step back from your own beliefs, and indeed any religious beliefs, and view this topic just as historical information to study. It's an ability that few have

[@dabronx340]

As I remember the legend of Abraham has Abraham leaving the city of UR in Sumeria and wandering in the dessert. When he asks the voice that whispers in his ears “which god he is ?”. The voice responds “I am God” or simply “El”.

[@festina_lente7655]

Gross. I ate some of that dessert🙁

[@BenjaminNielson]

Stoked to watch this one. Thank you Dr. Sledge!

[@IpsissimusPrime]

Justin, if there are any shortcomings, they are certainly NOT due to your efforts. Quite simply, a magisterial introduction for the masses. Thank you!

[@-25920-]

I think this is the best channel I’ve found on KZbin.

[@6gr89]

I recall a section of reading from "Sefer Shoshan Yesod Olam" where the Tetragrammaton is mentioned as being seven letters when pronounced without the niqqud. This was supposedly the original pronunciation used by the high priests. I love how so much mystery can surround one single name. Thanks for the awesome content!!

[@6gr89]

@@marshalmarrs3269 Niqqud refers to the diactratic vowel points, which didn't exist during the first or second temple periods. You see them above and below letters to represent the exact pronunciation of a vowel or letter. It allows you to differentiate from the different possible pronunciations. In very ancient times, everyone who was literate read the language in a very similar fashion and those who were illiterate spoke in a similar fashion. Vowels points weren't really necessary. Eventually, the language became spoken by a larger and larger population that became more and more spread out. They developed different accents or dialects because they were so spread out. To try and keep the correct pronunciations for liturgical purposes, they developed a system of vowel points to help. It also helpes with translating texts and such. I believe it was developed in the early middle ages by the Masoretes of Tiberia. Several different types of vowel points were developed, but only one lasted through the ages until now. The modern vowel point system is slightly different than the one originally made by the Masoretes. As for the pronunciation, you'll need to learn a little Hebrew and try to figure it out yourself. You could ask ten rabbis that same question and you'll get ten different answers. The text I was referring to dates to the 1500's and is written is a completely different Hebrew script that isn't used at all anymore. Not a lot of people can even read it at all, much less really understand it. Honestly, the pronunciation isn't all that important for most of us modern folk. The meaning of the name is what's important. It conveys to truth of reality in one word.

[@themagicianandthefool1878]

Absolutely phenomenal video. This should be mandatory watching for...everyone. You should be really proud of this episode Dr Sledge.

[@aliviabcharming]

Thank you so much for putting this out there knowing the potential consequences. Your channel has been invaluable in my personal journey, and I really appreciate having access to someone who knows how to discuss theology from a historical perspective.

[@CalebBification]

@@urbandesitv3529 would you be willing to state what the acedemic consensus on this topic is, or direct people towards that information? I don't know where else to look and top search results seem to largely agree with this video. How else would I know if you're not just echoing from your own chamber?

[@CalebBification]

@@urbandesitv3529 sorry all I can find online is Yaweh being considered an early storm and war god. I found some suggestions that it may have been a desert or even a volcano god. If there are other theories they don't appear very mainstream if search results are any indication.

[@rhodarose3451]

@@CalebBification So Yahweh is the storm and war god .. look around .. wars and our President saying "the Storm is coming" .. the god of this world, the one most called upon is Yahweh. This all seems to mesh together as the answer to the problems we face in this world. Our True Creator is loving, merciful, and forgiving. We are to call Him Father. If we are loving, merciful, and forgiving we Know His Truth.

[@elmartell5724]

Thank you so much for your honesty. I escaped a southern Baptist extremist cult the day after I turned eighteen, but spent the next five years desperately trying to hold onto the theologies I'd grown up believing so completely, and rectifying them with the real world I'd suddenly found myself in. Learning much of what you've discussed put that to bed and gave me peace, finally, and I took the first name El as a reminder of the very same truth you've explained so well here. Thank you

[@GregsBlueTacoma]

Wow. That was an amazing 40 minutes. I am now subscribed and cannot wait to watch more.

[@josephwilliammarek9566]

This was a great episode. I'm really enjoying how your choice of subject matter is spreading. You've been covering a lot of great topics recently.

[@jameskircher5235]

"When we allow our faith to dictate our history, we really just betrayed both." Sagely spoken, good sir!

[@jamesblack4411]

I mean it wouldn't really change the fact he is God at least for me it wouldn't

[@fionn_mac_ribs]

@@jamesblack4411 It should change your perspective on your faith. Given how your god is proven to have once been part of a polytheistic religion and a minor god in that religion. You’re essentially saying “lalalalala, not listening” in a polite way.

[@MetalBansheeX]

It's sad because people can't deal with the _facts don't care about your feelings_ thing when said facts go against their beliefs

[@thefool3424]

@fionn_mac_ribs7113 you can't prioritize something over you faith otherwise you don't actually have faith in it. So the saying doesn't make sense. Faith by definition means to believe in something without proof or evidence.

[@shaansingh6048]

@@fionn_mac_ribs He was introduced into that pantheon by humans, then has to fight his way out of it. He orders the Asherah poles and images of Baal destroyed, basically destroying the rest of the pantheon as I believe he always intended. None of the actual prophets associate him with these other gods, and in the Bible he clearly makes them his enemies. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me"

[@SierraNovemberKilo]

Got it. The who is Yahweh question has always stumped me. Starting 'somewhere' is great. Youve provided plenty of leads to follow. Thanks.

[@hyperthunk]

What an exquisite episode, just perfectly timed to me given my current bookshelf as well. Many thanks 👌🏻

[@wcropp1]

I've watched a lot of your videos and don't *always* comment (always hit the "like" button, though). However, this one was especially captivating. It's a behemoth of a topic to take on in one video, to be sure, so thank you for the effort and time you put into this. I would definitely be interested to see more on Canaanite religion/mythology, etc. I do love me some Bronze Age. Please do keep them coming, Good Sir!

[@carc.sync0]

Simply amazing! Thank you Dr. Sledge for taking the time to make such difficult material accessible to non-specialists. I would love to see a part II for this video where you go into more detail into some of the scholarly controversies you mentioned: I was able to understand from your discussion that certain controversies deal with interpretations of scribal choices of prefixes and suffixes, but since I have no knowledge of hebrew, egiptian, etc., I could only glimpse into what you meant.

[@PeterSchmuttermaier]

This is an awesome video to get all the confusing information out there sorted and streamlined. Great help, thanks!

[@Sankis]

Very glad KZbin brought me here! Fascinating stuff. It's incredible how things that happened in one small part of the world thousands of years ago still influence us today. You also have a rather nice speaking voice!

[@LogicallyKnot]

When the controllers adopt this BS and parade it around the world using vile acts death, in conjunction with depraved torture methods in order to force belief, it's easy to see how it's influenced the world.

[@LogicallyKnot]

When you use vile acts of torture and murder in order to force belief, it's easy to see how it's influenced the world.

[@harpsitardo]

Very erudite, scholarly and accurate summary of our current understanding of the subject. Very impressive. Haven't seen any of this channel's videos before, so I was skeptical at first - too many uninformed videos out there.. So this was a pleasant surprise. Very nice introduction on how honest it is to make faith the handmaiden of reason once again - even if we find the results uncomfortable or troubling.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Thanks for watching and the kind words!

[@EAdano77]

This was a sublime and fascinating lecture. The hours of research you distilled here down to one video are remarkable. You've definitely earned another subscriber!

[@floorboss]

I agree. Maybe A tad long & yet not long enough for "the heavy" Heavenly- wealth of necessary subject matter #YHWY Arguably 1 of his Best Videos from the few dozen lectures I've absorbed.

[@Lazzie_the_Psilocybe_Deity]

That you for your Lightwork. I greatly appreciate you, Rebbe!

[@merkelscott]

Love it! "when we allow our faith to dictate our history... We just betrayed both." so good!