Baal was a false God worshipped by many ancient cultures including the ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans. Baal was worshipped as one of the mythologic givers of life having power over the weather to determine agricultural productivity.
Within the Bible narrative, Baal was the main pagan god of the Canaanites whose worship included engagement with temple prostitutes, self flagellation, and rampant child sacrifice. Following Joshua’s conquest of Canaan until their Babylonian exile, many Israelites became involved in Baal worship.
Through Israel’s leaders, judges, prophets and obedient kings, God condemned the Baals and pagan worship practices. God repeatedly called on the Israelites to remain faithful to Himself, and He commanded destruction of the pagan “high places” of idolatrous Baal worship.
One of the most impactful confrontations occurred between God’s lone prophet Elijah and 450 of Baal’s false prophets at Mount Carmel, with God granting a miraculous demonstration of His supernatural power over the elements and subsequent annihilation of the false prophets.
Key verses: Exodus 20:1-4 Numbers 22:41 Judges 2:11-13; 6:25-32 1Kings 18:20-40 Romans 11:2-4
