Baal

the chief deity of the ancient Canaanites. He was regarded as the male element of creation, the female counterpart being Astoreth or Astarte. The altars of Baal were erected on heights or on housetops. Offerings of incense, bulls, and, on occasion, human sacrifices-children in particular-were laid on the altar. Wild orgies seem to have been a feature of the worship. In art, Baal is represented riding a bull, the symbol of generative power. Grapes and pomegranates are in his hand to denote productivity. Baal was worshiped also as a sun god, the source of life. Baal means lord or master. The word appears in many combinations. Baalzebub, or Hebrew Beelzebub, means "lord of flies"; Hannibal, "the lord is gracious"; Hasdrubal, "the lord is helpful"; Baalbec, "the city of Baal," etc. Baal or a counterpart had several names. In Assyria and Babylonia, Baal was worshiped as Bel. Among the Moabites he was known as Chemosh, and his chief cult was on Baal Peor. The Ammonites worshiped the same deity under the name of Moloch. Tyre called him Melcarth, etc. See Moloch; Ashtoreth