The most interesting thing to me would be the association with the sea - I always got the impression that god came from a history of sky gods? I like the water association better though.
As folks became more dependent on the land and agriculture, rain was a necessity for both crops and basic drinking water. How these different deities and spirits over their own respective domains eventually melded into one is not clearly understood. Some scholars believe it became a necessity both for unity and for cultural survival. It was just easier to say “Our God” instead of “the god of so and so”.
Definitely, I was just wondering where the "sky" elements crept in over the years. The christian/jewish/greek god/zeus all seem closer (at least in imagery) to a fertile crescent sky god - I wonder when that changed.
The most interesting thing to me would be the association with the sea - I always got the impression that god came from a history of sky gods? I like the water association better though.
As folks became more dependent on the land and agriculture, rain was a necessity for both crops and basic drinking water. How these different deities and spirits over their own respective domains eventually melded into one is not clearly understood. Some scholars believe it became a necessity both for unity and for cultural survival. It was just easier to say “Our God” instead of “the god of so and so”.
The sea played a huge role in that region. It connected the ancients with a much wider world.
Definitely, I was just wondering where the "sky" elements crept in over the years. The christian/jewish/greek god/zeus all seem closer (at least in imagery) to a fertile crescent sky god - I wonder when that changed.
@pkoutoupis gives new meaning to the song line: “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky…”
Great thought-provoking piece! I'll be returning to this again, I think.
YHWH/El’s associations with water has a striking similarity with Enki/Ea, and then other characteristics sound more like Enlil/Ellil.
Ur had a celestial father, supernal mother and the son (represented as a golden calf). Abraham fled from Ur.
Interesting isn't it? That's all. Just Interesting.
I believe in the Lord of Hosts. The Almighty. I have good reason.
Brilliant! Clear presentation & insight.