Texts in Conversation
Deuteronomy 33:26 and Psalm 68:33 both depict God riding on the clouds, an image of a storm deity closely associated with the Canaanite god Baal. Although the biblical texts contrast with Baal worship elsewhere, they adopt this specific pattern, which was commonly used in older literature to portray Baal as a divine warrior.
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Deuteronomy 33:26
Hebrew Bible
25 The bars of your gates will be made of iron and bronze, and may you have lifelong strength.” 26 “There is no one like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the sky to help you, on the clouds in majesty. 27 The everlasting God is a refuge, and underneath you are his eternal arms; he has driven out enemies before you, and has said, ‘Destroy!’ 28 Israel lives in safety, the fountain of Jacob is quite secure, in a land of grain and new wine; indeed, its heavens rain down dew.
Date: 6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Psalm 68:33
Hebrew Bible
32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God. Sing praises to the Lord, (Selah) 33 to the one who rides through the sky from ancient times. Look! He thunders loudly. 34 Acknowledge God’s power, his sovereignty over Israel, and the power he reveals in the skies. 35 You are awe inspiring, O God, as you emerge from your holy temple. It is the God of Israel who gives the people power and strength. God deserves praise!
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The threat of the cult of Baal to the organized worship of Yahweh is recorded in the Hebrew Bible rather consistently from the time Israel settled into Canaan until the exile. Direct polemic and even redactions take place throughout the text to assure the degradation of the cult of Baal. It is the insidious nature of Baal’s worship which is interpreted as the indictment leading to Yahweh’s judgment against his people resulting in their exile. In spite of the stark contrast between the two cults, the character of Yahweh rather blatantly absorbs a number of motifs associated with the older character of Baal. Yahweh, like Baal, is pictured conquering Yam and the sea beasts (Psalm 74:12-15, 89:10-11; Isaiah 27:1, 51:9-10; Jeremiah 5:22; Job 7:12; CAT 1.3.3.38-42; CAT 1.5.1.1-3, 27-30; CAT 1.6.6.51). He dwells on the mountain in language familiar with Baal’s own abode (Exodus 15:17; CAT 1.3.4.1; CAT 1.4.5.53-55). Zaphon is referenced in Psalm 48:3 which employs the same imagery of Baal defending his holy mountain appropriated for Jerusalem. Although a variation and not a direct quote, Yahweh does ride the clouds much like the common epithet of Baal (Deuteronomy 33:26; Psalm 68:5, 34; CAT 1.3 iv 4, 6; CAT 1.4.3.10-11, 17-18; CAT 1.4.5.59-60). Above Yahweh’s association with rain, thunder, and lightning was addressed ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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