Who is Baal - How a Storm Deity Fought Sea, Death and Yahweh only to become a Demon

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Consider Supporting Esoterica! Patreon - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel Merch - kzbin.info/door/oydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQstore New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing Rare Occult Books - www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

[@TheSmark666]

A real Ba'al ha-Bayit this guy is.

[@cosmic_sky_mountain]

9:45 tiamat and marduk ,, is this more than mythology or bases on actual battles on earth or in our solar system ? i also really appreciate your revival of Baal and its powerful beginnings and hidden presence in modern theology. and his misapproriation by the israelites

[@JamesBarry-j7m]

@@TheEsotericaChannel I am still laughing at your comment with your chat with Alex when you describe someone crazy as Solomon dancing with the prophets now I have to learn it in Yiddish so I can say it here in my neighborhood in Brooklyn oh and thank you for all your expertise on the topic of as well

[@nickpaul3623]

First off i absolutely love your channel. It's very intriguing and informative, however the way you deliver info is very similar to another channel i couldn't watch anymore coz they were talking soo quickly. You don't really have any punctuation, your story blurs together, it's a little hard to keep up when your blurring everything together going from 1 subject to another, history guy: history deserves too be remembered has perfect punctuation. Either way I'll continue to be a fan. Love your show.

[@balazskiss985]

i am

[@zbraal]

Tracing these figures back through ancient writings is incredibly fascinating. More, please!

[@GilTheDragon]

The archaeological lives of gods are fascinating, a tingling for a mythology. Bettany Hughes does a "biography" of aphrodite which really contextualizes the push and pull of culture, cult-inertia, and the mingling of humanity.

[@chuckyfire8439]

So how did he become beezlebub? Or what tribes renamed him?🤔 Is he Taurus or Aquarius in the zodiac?

[@PRAISE_HASHUT]

@@GilTheDragonman I love Bethany Hughes.

[@joshuahillerup4290]

I'm glad you've been able to keep the theme song; I hope KZbin has stopped messing it up

[@Exit311]

Ba'al might not return but Chopin has

[@jmp01a24]

Never underestimate the power of the demonic plague called (C)opy (R)ight in the digital temple of Yau Taube.

[@djmcbratney]

It was so comforting to hear it back and I hope it never leaves again😭

[@outerlast]

yeah it returns :D

[@SkepticGamerNerd]

Congrats on vanquishing the Algorithm yet again Dr. Sledge! Happy (early) Hanukkah 🕎

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Thanks, kindly!

[@charleshartley9597]

I feel that future generations will include a demon named "Al'Gorith'im" in some religious text. Dammit. Now I might have to right a short story with that premise and a future Dr. Sledge discussing it's origins in the comment section of KZbin… uh, sorry, the Texts of U'Tuub.

[@stoodmuffinpersonal3144]

​@@TheEsotericaChannelidk of I'm early or late, my friend, but I wish you a happy Hanukkah as well!

[@stoodmuffinpersonal3144]

​@@charleshartley9597History is funny like that

[@cindchan]

@@stoodmuffinpersonal3144 This year it falls on Dec 25th.

[@Stoneworks]

Always got a sweet spot for ancient Mideast and Mediterranean gods, keep up the great work Dr. Sledge!!

[@Sirendrowned]

@@Stoneworks ayyyy it’s Stoney

[@ParameterGrenze]

„… demonization now merely listed in necromancer cataloges of infernal Spirits..“ Damm. I hate it when that happens.

[@dawn670]

It's disappointing😑.

[@Daisy0962]

Re-Re-Repeating thineselves.

[@tompatterson1548]

Though now we jave the baal cycle I wonder whether we'll see it influence things inspired by grimoires. Like if movies and stuff that use demons will be giving him back storm aspects and that sort of thing.

[@zebublack6300]

Most of Baal's later mentions are overwhelmingly demonized, but there are a few interesting exceptions. Agrippa's Three Books, for instance, still features Adad as one of the names of the Sun (following Macrobius), despite the later demonological chapters describing the usual "evil" Baal of the necromancers. More interestingly, the grimoire Hygromanteia or "Magical Treatise of Solomon" names "Beel" as the archangel of Friday (while simultaneously naming "Zebul" as the opposing demon of Friday!) There are also some later post-enlightenment works that name Boel or Baliel among long jumbled lists of angels who are assumed to be "celestial intelligences", but nevertheless still contain a few entries of clearly demonic origin such as Sarabotres, Bileth, Maymon, and others.

[@Daisy0962]

@@ParameterGrenze And it keeps on happening. No wonder at grave sights, we see R. I. P.

[@theobolt250]

I'm always amazed by the hundreds and thousands of miles these deities travel before they find their ultimate form. Baal and Aphrodite are interesting examples. I suspect that these divine travels reflect the migrations of tribes and peoples. Yeah, we're all, somehow, connected.

[@TheEvolver311]

You should read "Traveling Heroes: Greeks and their myths in the epic age of Homer" by Robin Lane Fox.

[@Humorless_Wokescold]

I love how this story is about Baal but Anat is doing all the cool shit.

[@ravnjokr]

everybody needs a sister like that XD

[@speedstriker]

Anats a baddie

[@scoopwoop8196]

he’s just a chill dude

[@V1nVicious]

I loved Baal and Anat bro moments. I'd love to see an animated version of their fight against Death similar to Todo and Yuji x Mahito😂

[@TR4G1CK]

Having gone through some of the broken portions of text and commentaries on _Ba'al_ , there's some interesting details about both 𒀭Lord Ba'al and 𒀭Maiden Anat we don't get the full picture of. There's even a different fragmentary text about 𒀭Maiden Anat slaying a dragon and another one about 𒀭Lady Ashtart hunting on the steppe (no, not that Steppe). Also, in _Ba'al_ 𒀭El's other Son 𒀭Ashtar/Athtar apparently kept showing up as a nuisance trying to claim the Kingship just to finally get it after 𒀭Lord Ba'al dies and finds out it's too hard and gives up.

[@PaulAJohnston1963]

I went to Ugarit in March, I was the only person who seemed to be really, really excited by this. Guessing I was the only person on the tour to be subscribed to this channel! Their lose not mine :-)

[@pokemasterpat]

Talked to my sister for the first time in a while. She mentioned Esoterica, and suggested I'd enjoy it. I responded to her: Oh I love Dr. Sledge!

[@consensuslphisk]

Ha! It's the greatest when someone recommends you something they'd think is right down your alley and you get to be like "you don't know the half of it!"

[@wishpunk9188]

Thats Mr. DR. Sledgehammer

[@glennsnapp290]

@@wishpunk9188 That’s CAPTAIN Mr. Dr. Sledgehammer to you.

[@viwitaful]

@@pokemasterpat Why don't you speak more often, is she a bit like Anat? 😄

[@Ephemeral_Sins]

So even back then with Anat, mankind wanted Goths. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@riskybiscuits688]

Great to hear the Chopin is back. Love your channel so much!

[@thesaracen3992]

we still use the word BAAL in arabic today, one use is meaning "husband \ man \ caretaker " the BAAL of a house is the MAN of the house , another meaning refering to farming . there is two type of farms , BAAL farms (that relyis on rainwater only ) and irriagation farms which needs irrigation .

[@koirasikin]

@@thesaracen3992 thats surprisingly very cool!

[@thorkushari4027]

@@koirasikin That is an interesting insight.

[@cannedCPU]

Interesting! I am a Jordanian Arabic speaker and never heard that used in modern day Arabic in Jordan, although it does make sense. What dialect of Arabic do you speak?

[@astroo1991]

@@thesaracen3992 Ba'al is husband and owner in modern Hebrew as well

[@EwaFeen]

@@thesaracen3992 Which Arabic?

[@ramzcoldlampin5460]

The Corpse Of Death Itself would be a dope metal band/song name.

[@theeniwetoksymphonyorchest7580]

That was ABBA’s original name.

[@lynninpain]

@@theeniwetoksymphonyorchest7580 🤣🤣🤣

[@nickwright9064]

Thanks for another amazing video!

[@geneh460]

I really liked the whole "my sister is going to kick your ass" thing. Anat had it going on.

[@liamcapel9070]

I absolutely love this channel! Having having the historical, mythological, and theological elements laid out so clearly is refreshing. It makes me want to study so much more

[@briantaulbee5744]

When talking about "the war against the sea," is there some kind of common mythological thread here, of a powerful storm/sky god against a water creature or sea monster? Ba'al versus Lotann. Yahweh versus Leviathan (maybe). Seth versus Apep. Thor versus Jormundandr. Zeus versus Typhon. Indra versus Vritra. Marduk versus Tiamat.

[@Judal-y8g]

You can bet your ass that there is. It even has a cool german name, chaoskampf, in which a god, representing order, defeats a gigantic serpent/dragon that represents chaos, hence the name

[@MrDalisclock]

There is. It's called the chaoskampf or "chaos battle" in German.

[@TheNamelessOne-o4v]

Yes, Ninurta vs. Bashmu, the original Yahweh and the original Leviathan. The rest are copies.

[@prajjwalray7030]

Vritra was not a sea monster.

[@trellnebula]

@@prajjwalray7030 not a sea monster but still has serpentine features

[@Geospasmic]

I've enjoyed all your talks on Canaanite religion so much!

[@GarGhuul]

A shame Anat doesn’t survive as much as Ba’al.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Interestingly, she was probably more widely venerated, especially in Egypt.

[@GilTheDragon]

Anat does not need worshipers. Anat fears not death. death came to reap Anat and then thought better of it

[@HuntingTheEnd]

​@@TheEsotericaChannelAnat would make a great topic for a video like this one especially because of her survival in Egypt and maybe-association with Yahweh in Elephantine!

[@JomarAF]

I'm making it my headcanon that writers omitted her from facing off with Yahweh in biblical myth like Baal did, because someone with an infinitely more interesting and metal description as Anat would've immensely overshadowed the popularity of Mr. "I say things out loud and they kinda just happen"

[@SeekerOfComfyness]

Anat is so cool I love how unapologetically "masculine" she is

[@nomal8954]

Please do more episodes like this and the Yahweh ones. It’s so interesting to see the origins of what I thought to be constant figures my whole life. I would have never imagined both started as local cult deities but it’s so cool to hear the real story of their origins especially the geographical and cultural elements that shaped them and their evolution

[@PESSIMYST1C]

I own stories from ancient Canaan, as well as Day’s and Moore Cross’s books and have read them all more than once or twice. I always find it reassuring that I am on the right track when my study material is exactly what Dr sledge has studied and recommends. This concise yet detailed and still somehow easily digested summary of the information therein is so well presented! Thanks as always

[@Bjorn830]

Your content is so interesting and illuminating. I like to listen to you when I'm on night shift at work.

[@markberardi5805]

There would be other rivals to Yahweh, but this one really got the Baal rolling! Hi Justin! Great channel!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Oh wow, how have you been?

[@Valdagast]

_You've got something about you_ _You've got something I need_ _Daughter of Aphrodite_ _Hear my words and take heed_ _I was born on Olympus_ _To my father a son_ _I was raised by the demons_ _Trained to reign as the one_ _God of thunder and rock and roll_ _The spell you're under_ _Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul_

[@tomsibert3289]

So Baal was really Gene Simmons?

[@Valdagast]

@@tomsibert3289 It's more that Baal has transformed and incarnated as Gene Simmons. He's a fertility god, that's why he has so much sex. It's to keep the crops growing.

[@greggyfontane1487]

​@@tomsibert3289Basically, yeah. Close enough.

[@angmabangui]

Great to have the music back. It's perfect for this channel. Wonderful episode today, thank you as always.

[@TehLislis]

This might be my favorite episode to date! I've been wanting to hear more about Ba'al for quite some time. Thank you!

[@MrAnofele]

Thank you Doc: as I’m a divorced man living alone life isn’t easy, but you always bring comfort in my life with your informative and interesting videos. It’s not easy to find friends into knowledge and esoteric matters, and here with you I found myself at home and safe far from manipulating people or uneducated fake experts. You’ve built a healthy community in which I feel comfortable and comforted. 🤘🏻

[@bertokleine280]

As usually a brilliant video. The only thing I can give is my deepest thanks. ( and another thumb up)

[@chaosspork]

Then Shin Megami Tensei fan in me is loving this! I love these kinds of mythological battle of gods! Honestly, SMT and your videos have probably made Baal one of my favorite gods.

[@ParadiseLordRyu]

Hello fellow SMT enjoyer!

[@benjamincuevas9627]

I think Ba'al was reincarnated as one of the MC of devil survivor games. So he does get payback.😂

[@ShannonWare]

Witnessing modern scholarship in real time never felt so good. Bravo!

[@dsharpness]

like a movie

[@thedankjudean]

Just came across this channel for the first time, it's especially interesting as a Modern Hebrew speaker. The names of these gods and the other related terms are pretty much all still present in our language in one way or another.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep, I know a few Anats

[@Jharo77]

Thanks!

[@spuntotheratboy]

I have a hard time imagining how I could express how much I love this channel.

[@wrathofnerds]

It's good to hear the theme music again. Still watching the video but paused to say that.

[@adolfocastanon1880]

This has turned out to be my second favorite video (after the legendary origin of YHWH one). Thank you for everything Dr. Sledge.

[@Lalita_Luna]

Yes! Bless you Justin! Deeper understanding Baal was the most important thing after learning about the similarity with YHWH and considering how it was one of the most common rival deities of YHWH in early times! I'm so excited with this valuable surprise deepdive! Bless you for sharing your knowledge with the world!

[@DJKILLAHKAH]

As always, your commitment to truth is refreshing

[@CartographerOfChaos]

Thanks Justin. Love your channel more than any other on KZbin.

[@JustJen1386]

I am an English major who’s known about Lord of the Flies for DECADES now, and I’m only *just* learning that that’s what Beelzebub translates to?? Get your shit together UNC.

[@FutureAIDev2015]

0:32 The Doors - Riders on the Storm intensifies

[@devilinblue72]

Hey Dr Sledge. These shorter god profiles / histories are really nice. Hope you do more of these! 😁 Great work!

[@sanfordschoolfield710]

Thanks

[@schlaackmusic]

Just snagged a copy of Stories from Ancient Canaan for $6. Your recommendations have helped fill my own little library of religious history. Thank you!

[@FigmentHF]

You've really ignited my passion and respect for this subject. It's invaluable, thank you.

[@AzAbuvSoBelow]

I've been waiting on Dr Sledge to cover Baal. This is gold right here.

[@Pow_FIsh]

I thought his name was Dr. Sledgeberg maybe he changed it.

[@ThomasDaniel-w9c]

Thank you, Dr. Sledge. Your presentations are always full of great information with a dose of humane mirth.

[@VentiVonOsterreich]

The Yahweh VS Baal fight was the ancient version of the Batman VS Superman fight of today

[@benjamincuevas9627]

More like the Superman and Shazam legal battle just with the opposite outcome.😅

[@SuperHorsecow]

How? How is corporate comic slop relevant?

[@VentiVonOsterreich]

@@SuperHorsecow Humanity has become so obsessed with fictional characters they are practically worshipped as religious icons

[@lindboknifeandtool]

@@VentiVonOsterreichtruly. They’re discussed as if they’re not fictional. Like wow, they did some good writing? Cool. Cool SHOW. But people are like thinking about this shut all day

[@uphillwalrus5164]

Capeshit rots people's minds I swear

[@nurnu349]

Thank you! Finally a serious, academic video on Baal. I have just discovered your channel and subscribed.

[@archmage_of_the_aether]

I am using this video of yours as the Gateway video to lure them into your channel. 108/100 sir

[@TheDeepestbluest]

As someone who’s very into both fantasy and scifi literature, lore, games, it’s mind boggling how much of this is used like almost as is and labeled as creativity. Amazing content, instant sub

[@DallasMcMillan]

Another remarkable insight into these cultures Every time they blow me away especially the connections between different cultures over centuries Really value your work!

[@pmss3]

Love your work - love the time spent in preparing so that the whole half hour is broken down logically and in its simplest form, which is incredibly difficult to even attempt to make simple. Definitely one of the best channels on KZbin for this - others spend too much time on AI BS and less on the actual substance. Hat off to you.

[@herpderp9774]

Thank you for your great summary on this early mythology and how as Christianity was always want to do, turning it into something their early worshipers could rally against. More of these kinds of truths really need to come to light so people can really get a sense of what religion really is and not just blindly venerate it.

[@redsamson0023]

I ❤ the quality academic resources Dr. Sledge provides!

[@vansdan.]

Hey there! Thank you for your appearance in Geneticallu Modified Skeptic, I dont think Id have found you otherwise! just wanted to say, im absolutely addicted to your content. as a former born again christian, now atheist, ive found myself deeply curious about religion but reading dozens of wikipedia articles just wasnt satisfying my curiousity... but your videos most certainly do. thank you for your work!

[@Duiker36]

Channel suggestions: "Let's Talk Religion" is good for the less esoteric stuff and dives pretty deep into topics despite that, and "Religion for Breakfast" is very good for introductions into various topics. ESOTERICA is great, but Dr Sledge mostly focuses on stuff with a connection to, well, esoterica and the general religion stuff is there for (incredibly necessary) context.

[@vansdan.]

@@Duiker36 I started watching Lets Talk Religion after yt discovered i like Esoterica, and ive watched probably 30 of his videos lol. its great stuff. and thank you, ill check out that other channel you mentioned. cheers!!

[@joeljoel5061]

I think you just became my new hero of intellectual divinity studies! As a worshiper of Enki I loved this.

[@greatexpectations6577]

Just Enki or all of the mesopotamian pantheon?

[@tonysladky8925]

Ah yes, combining my Esoterica, D&D, and Stargate fandoms into one topic (Okay, I don't think D&D Bhaal has anything in common with real-world or Stargate Ba'al beyond a similar name, but the namedrop felt right).

[@hive_indicator318]

They used a lot of real world deities in the 74 edition

[@Daniel-Paul-SasserB.23]

Thank you Dr. Sledge, you are the BEST!!!

[@Dragontron20]

Superb job! As an former Christian, I find my old feelings of veneration I had for Yahweh spring up when I hear the story of Baal! Go figure!

[@lucastapleton558]

Awesome video as always! I was wondering if you’ve ever considered making a video on the eunuch priests of the ancient near east and Mediterranean? The Gala priests of Inanna or the Galli priests of Cybele come to mind. I feel like you’d handle the topic better than many sensationalist videos on the subject. Keep up the awesome work and have a great day!

[@NavajoMX]

Justin's a Baaler 😎

[@ivar3654]

So grateful for all this knowledge ! Many blessings to you Dr.Sledge.

[@SeekerOfComfyness]

It makes me happy seeing all the love anat is getting in this comment section

[@ernahorn9525]

Glad to read, and hear, your theme music issue has been resolved! Love and appreciate your channel. Thank you for sharing all your expertise, am learning a lot 😊

[@GhostHack_1]

Did youtube finally fix their algorithm for the music? Glad it's back

[@armourvgyt]

Love your work Justin, still following and I always appreciate your more biblical or Levantine videos for religious research!

[@InternetMameluq]

Should have called this episode 'Looking for Baal?'

[@jamesmasonaltair]

When I was 10 (1980), I started playing AD&D. My devoutly Catholic parents bought me three books. The Player's Handbook, The Dungeon Master's Guide, and most importantly to this video, the Deities and Demigods cyclopedia. From that moment on, I was fascinated by mythology. That carried on into high school and then college. I voraciously read the Bible, the Vedic writings, the Quran, and books like the Golden Bough. Dr. Justin Sledge and his channel are for me today like that Deities and Demigods book was to me all those years ago. Opening my mind to new ideas, new worlds, new philosophies. New ways of considering old concepts. New "Eureka" moments. I cannot recommend him highly enough. הידע נמצא על שפתיו של האיש הזה. חוכמה על מצחו. De cultu aliorum, nostras philosophias intelligimus.

[@uniqueglow9541]

Informative video. What has been somewhat forgotten and what should be remembered is that historically, the ancient Hellenistic religion and the Roman religion had their connections to and origins in the Mediterranean environment, the Near East, and the Indo European space. In Antiquity there were several important cultural and religious centers in the Mediterranean region and beyond. Whether it's called syncretism or by other names, Zeus was one name or one aspect of the supreme deity and head of a pantheon of deities revered in numerous locations in the ancient world, with minor differences concerning the functions and attributes. This supreme deity was equally known as Amon-Ra in Egypt, or Zeus Amon, as Baal in Canaan and the Levant, Marduk in Mesopotamia, Jupiter in Rome, and so forth. The chief Hindu god Indra has many characteristics in common with Zeus. So Baal can be regarded as another version or an equivalent of Zeus, with a few diffrences or variations. The Canaanite sea god Yam can be identified with or has the same attributes as Poseidon, and the god Mot was identified with Hades. Baal was the supreme god in the city of Ugarit, and in the Canaanite and Phoenician pantheons. During classical Antiquity, the temple of Baal in the city of Baalbek (present-day Lebanon) was conflated with the worship of the Greek and Roman sky god under the name "Heliopolitan Zeus" or "Jupiter". The name Baal-zebul, which meant 'lord of the high place', was changed to Baal-zebub and used in the ancient Hebrew Bible as a contemptuous disparaging description of Baal, and a derogatory pun on his name. With Christianity Beelzebub became the name of a major demon. Some in Christianity mistakenly think that the name Baal means demon, but it really simply means master or lord. Zeus/Jupiter, the equivalents of Baal, and the other gods of the old pantheons, were also described or denigrated mostly by Christian authors as demons or demonic personnifications.

[@starwars90001]

The idea gods can be denoted as just demons or false gods simply because their culture fall seems so unfair. The idea of taking a corner stone of someone else's culture and demonize it just hits ya wrong. Gald we do the their story now.

[@brycesakal3717]

@@starwars90001 Your point isn’t necessarily 100% true. It’s not that these “gods” were demoted to demons just more or less that they were shown to be demons, or “lesser gods”. Take the Romans for example. They were the world super power when Christianity sprung up. They were the ruling gods. But what had they done for the Romans? Their grip failed when faced with Monotheism. The pantheons fell because they were never gods to begin with but demons who promoted themselves into divinity for human worship.

[@breannclark1485]

I agree with this. I always thought it was so disrespectful to call another cultures gods demons or evil.

[@LoneEagle2061]

The scrabbling war of gods for dominance, and their eventual demise. Terry Pratchett: Small gods is a beautiful example.

[@brokenman8100]

@@starwars90001 It was a common custom in the Middle East that when a certain culture falls then the people adopt the gods of the victorious people because they thought their gods were more powerful and therefore they could protect them. The ancient point of view towards gods is different from what it is today.

[@8xottox8]

The view being more polytheistic in the first place. Todays Christians and Muslims and such don't accept any other gods even existing, but these ancient people were a bit more open about that sort of thing. Taking up the new god as just another god of many, or as a superior version of the same being.

[@Jsboutin1]

Amazing content as always. Nothing will top the Yahweh episode, but id love more of this content.

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

Can't believe Marvel hasn't made a 3 movie series out of this😮

[@dawn670]

That would be Awesome!

[@m3greatwhite212]

@@SepulvedaBoulevard they don’t want truth for public

[@MrGksarathy]

Marvel could never get it right.

[@stankatbarrell9878]

It would be too controversial because so many people are Christians, Jewish, Muslims, and they would throw a fit. Especially evangelicals

[@Fernanda-jj1yn]

Your channel is a real find.

[@jodieg6318]

What I love the most about Bronze Age and other early studies into religion particularly in the Near East and other Cradle of Civilization areas is the universalism if it all. The world being made out of various body parts of a primordial monster, sky gods that wield lightening, and a giant snake like monster living in the sea. When you find themes like this from Scandinavia all the way down to Turkey it's a great example if what we say in reenactment: "People always be peopling."

[@johannageisel5390]

At least during Roman times there was an "amber road" going from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea and further on. And there is also evidence for a trade of Baltic amber to the eastern Mediterranean during the Bronze Age. It's possible they used the same route through central/eastern Europe. Therefor it's possible that those Bronze Age myths were traveling into the area of the Proto-Germanic tribes.

[@paulaunger3061]

Happy new year, doctor! Really delighted to have just discovered your channel :D

[@patriciawhytefengshui]

Chopin reigns! Thank you Michael for protecting Dr Sledge!🙏💙

[@CassandraWhitelock]

Thank you for this. I have a new appreciation for the history of BAAL. Good work sir. Glory to God 🙏💜💜💜🕊

[@GilTheDragon]

Anat being so... terrifying and bloody strikes me as evocative of the old greek worship the Mother and the Mistress where sacrifice by tearing apart was part of the cultic practice. but as one looks at later notions of death and the overcoming of it... the way the human-blooded sons of Zeus are seen to overcome death and even age itself, saviors in a transcendental sense... doesnt another storm god also have a demihuman son that can do that some centuries later?

[@AC-dk4fp]

Anat's role as a particularly bloodthirsty goddess is up for dispute (one of the key texts was revealed to be a mistranslation) and what isn't disputed is line with other war goddesses like Sekhmet and Ishtar.

[@philipsmith3968]

Didn't the Egyptian goddess of war & medicine Sekhmet go on a bloody rampage like Anat? Phil the Cat

[@geraldmeehan8942]

Thank you for another awesome episode Dr Sledge

[@Jackkalpakian]

"Semitic Kali" -- perfect. :)

[@tulliusexmisc2191]

It is a good parallel, although my immediate thought was Sekhmet.

[@qxz9p]

The imagery of actually controlling weather, especially storms, is truly awe inspiring when you think about what it must feel like to dictate the winds and lightning. It makes me think of the episode in X-Men ‘97 when Storm enters a battle and a sentinel says “Omega level threat detected” as she proceeds to wreck shop.

[@peterkarargiris4110]

Chopin returns from the wilderness ! I'm so happy. Excellent presentation as always Dr Sledge. Are you going to do a video on Asherah ?

[@MizaelD333]

Thank you for providing such thought provoking information!! It is always a pleasure to watch your videos 👍🏻👍🏻

[@BufoToxin-i3p]

@18:12 after strange eons even death may die

[@marcocatano554]

I can’t thank you enough for this videos of yours. They’re amazing!!

[@saber__]

Death: No man can kill me... Anat: I am no man! Also add the new Dr Who season finale to the list for the latest cooption of the killing death to bring life story

[@AbhishekSharma-sc7ki]

I'm a huge fan of your Near East explorations. Thanks for another great one!

[@luna13moth]

I would love to see you cover more Canaanite theology it’s way too underrated

[@Feyenoord-el8ip]

Telling what has been found and written down without prejudice, very refreshing

[@nyxshadowhawk]

Great episode, this series on the origins of Yahwism is fascinating. It’s so interesting how mythology mutates overtime. No one expected that one day this deposed Canaanite storm deity would be portrayed as a fox girl with bee wings and Kesha’s voice in Helluva Boss.

[@specialnewb9821]

@@nyxshadowhawk Stargate's version is a favorite thanks to the late Cliff Simon.

[@rishinsenguptagoddestroyer5024]

True, Bro went from Bull God to Bee Fox Demon in 3000 years 💀

[@gkraith2995]

I agree on how culture and years can mutate religion but I just want to say: helluvaboss is very infantile and it's for "safe edgy" people who only think about shipping+p0rn0graphy and who are mentally stuck in the 2000s era of internet atheism. Plus groomed minors/teens but that's every series that appeals to the youth.🤷‍♂️ I regret ever giving this series a chance.

[@Emymagdalena]

Fantastic work 👏👏👏 As always, saving my life with your reading suggestions.

[@Helicondrummer]

So I have a few interpretations that would change a bit of the Baal story. Firstly, I believe that him having a son with a heifer is a ploy to trick death. Death doesn't kill Baal at all but instead the calf that is born is made to resemble Baal and that is what Mot consumes. Baal instead went into hiding because he was afraid of Mot. None of the gods know this except for possibly/likely Shamash as she knows where to find him after El has his dream that he is alive. Secondly, Ant specifically says that she killed Yam-Nahar (Sea-River). It is assumed that Baal does this, but the text is broken and doesn't specifically say. I would interpret along with what we have of some broken lines that Baal actually captures Yam but something happens and Anat ends up killing him. Baal is still blamed by Mot who is the brother of Yam which is why he is upset with Baal. Mot is mad that his own brother was given to him to consume. On a side note, I will point out there are several Hittite myths about missing gods which are similar to Baal being missing. I'll also point out that there is an Egyptian myth where Ra is upset everyone thinks he's to old to rule and ends up sending Hathor / Sekhmet to kill a bunch of people. The myth is extremely similar to Anat's killing spree in the Baal cycle which I don't think is coincidental. I don't think the missing section of the Baal cycle would completely align as the exact same story, but the similarities are there. Lastly, If you take the view that Baal and Yahweh are the same god then Elijah becomes a story about two groups of people worshipping the same god under different names and the contest is decided not by which god is real, but by which people that god favors.

[@jodilewislipsitz8330]

I just really enjoy your lectures. I learn so much, and your sense of humor is as whacked as mine... I am preparing to move to Israel next year, so all of this will become even more meaningful. Your book list should help my Hebrew. Glad to hear your intro music again. So ridiculous.

[@KnightSky115]

This was very interesting! Do you think you could do a video on Asherah?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Probably

[@deanstuart8871]

Wow! An absolute tour de force. Thank you so much for this video, Dr Sledge.

[@marinoceccotti9155]

The more I learned about how modern monotheist religions were a revamping of ancient polytheist religions, the less I believed. We all know that Yahweh has been borrowed from the Shasus, a nomadic people of the region. Ashéra was Yaveh's wife. Us human will always love good fire camp stories.

[@gwj3452]

Heavy hitter this one, Justin. One for the books 👏👏

[@daspotato]

On a really kinda funny pop culture note, the whole Baal as former king of the region and being displaced by Yahweh, and all these spin-off demons is touched upon by Atlus' "Devil Survivor". Fantastical, but basically the driving plot ends up being all the fragments of Baal ('Bel' in game) fighting each other to become the true Baal once more. Due to quirks in Japanese in how words sounds, this ends up with the Tower of Babel, the God Baldur, and Abel also getting dragged in.