Ancient Israel's Neighbors and Their Gods

According to the Bible, ancient Israel's neighbors worshipped a wide variety of gods.

Modern Scholarship and Ancient Polytheism

In recent years, scholars have sought a better understanding of this early polytheistic milieu and its relation to Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Ugaritic Texts and Deities

Drawing on ancient Ugaritic texts and looking closely at Ugaritic deities, Mark Smith examines the meaning of "divinity" in the ancient near East and considers how this concept applies to Yahweh.