Was There a Cult of El in Ancient Canaan?

Essays on Ugaritic Religion and Language

by David Toshio Tsumura

Book cover: Was There a Cult of El in Ancient Canaan?

Extent: 287 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Ancient Near East, Biblical Studies, Jewish Studies

Series: Orientalische Religionen in der Antike

Series volume number: 55

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(March 2024)

ISBN: 9783161612787

7.09 x 10.04 inches

Price: $162.00

In stock

In this collection of essays, David Toshio Tsumura examines a number of Ugaritic mythological and liturgical texts in detail for how they interpret deity. He sheds light on ancient Canaanite religious practices and social customs essential for a better understanding of Old Testament literature.


Since their discovery in 1929, Ugaritic documents have shed light on the Canaanite background of the ancient Israelite religion. But to use them properly, it is crucial first to interpret the texts philologically in their historical and cultural context. In particular, we must grasp the characteristics of polytheism from within, without imposing a Western understanding of deity. David Toshio Tsumura examines a number of mythological and liturgical texts in detail for how they interpret deity, and especially deals with the different meanings of the Ugaritic term IL, a cognate of the Hebrew el, “god.” This can be a generic noun, “god,” proper name “El,”or a term for the collective godhead “The Deity.” Thus, the author sheds light on ancient Canaanite religious practices and social customs essential for a better understanding of Old Testament literature.

  • By (author) David Toshio Tsumura