Today, in a symbolic act, Iranians set fire to the flags of Israel and the United States, as well as an obelisk and a statue of Baal—which they described as a symbol of Satan—in various cities across Iran in response to the release of the Epstein documents.

  • geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml
    1·
    14 hours ago

    Thanks for the context. It was also iffy because it gives credence to the implication that Iran is burning Ba’al because he represents Yaweh and therefore Zionists can say “Iran is antisemitic”.

    I did a little more research and found a Reddit thread where everyone really just seems to make random stuff up https://www.reddit.com/r/DebateReligion/comments/hu3gvu/yahweh_and_baal_the_same_deity/

    But even there the seeming most sensible comment says that Baal and Yaweh were two different deities.

    In ancient times Baal is a term for various deities in the West Semitic (Syrian and Levantine) area and means Lord, master, owner, husband, king or god. Baal was a title that could be used for any god. Baal is usually referred to as the supreme god of the local pantheon. He is usually a god of mountains, weather and fertility. The Babylonian weather god Adad was often equated with Baal.

    In the Bible, the term Baal is used synonymously as a name for a number of local deities, but the Hebrew word Baal also appears in the Bible in its non-religious meaning Lord, owner or husband.

    According to the biblical account, the Israelites came into contact with the cult of Baal during the desert migration (Dtn 25:3). In the narratives a sharp contrast is usually emphasized. On the other hand, names containing Baal show that in the early days of Israel, the worship of JHWH and Baal was not perceived as a contrast: Saul named his first son Jonathan (YH gave), another Ishbaal (man of Baal). David named one son Adoniah: My Lord is YH), another Beeljada (Baal has recognized, 1 Chr 14:7).

    Baal was worshipped for centuries, especially in northern Israel (1 Kings 16:32); both the Elijah legends and the Book of Hosea polemicize against and call for monolatrous YHWH worship instead. Hosea 2:18 suggests that the word Baal (according to its original etymology) was previously used as a title for YHWH itself (which the prophet opposes for several reasons). Its worship in Northern Israel can be explained at least in part by the cultural and religious influence of Tyros.

    The biggest connection people seem to find is that one is called “The Lord” and the other one “God” but it still all feels like a very large stretch to me. Thanks for your input though I don’t really feel like spending more time on this subject but I might check out the Youtube channel in the future.

    • Maeve@kbin.earth
      1·
      13 hours ago

      You’re welcome, and thank you for that reddit post! It’s quite fascinating and largely aligns with my current understanding. Part of the reason for yhwh allowing the conquering and exiles of the Jewish people was for “whoring after other gods” and Baal was one of several. In this context, the “covenant” between yhwh and his people meant “marriage” so the Hebrews worshipping other gods was adultery, punishable by death, so conquering, exile, and occupation was indicative of G-d’s mercy on his people, because of his love and compassion.

      If you do a deeper dive, some of the Hollywood movies begin to make more sense, and even deeper will change your understanding of the various names of G-d, akin to the Brahmans’ saying, “Brahma is one, the faces of Brahma are many.” Deeper still and you learn how modern Christianity also corrupted the common understanding of souls, the tree of life (and tree of death), the shattering of the vessels (mazel tov!) and so. much. more!