Stories from Ancient Canaan

Introductions and translations to a handful of Canaanite texts discovered at Ras Shamra/Ugarit related to Biblical themes: Aqhat, Rephaim, Kirta, Baal, Lovely Gods, El's Drinking Party.

The authors provide both an overall introduction, explaining the discovery of Ugarit and what is known about it, the gods of the Canaanite pantheon, the form of poetry used, and what associations may exist between Ugarit and ancient Israel. They also well introduce each particular text, providing a description of what is going on in the narrative, making reference to possible Biblical allusions and associations, and providing whatever color and background they can for the text; these introductions prove crucial since the texts are extremely fragmentary. show more Within the translation they will mention where the gaps are and whatever insight they may have into what might have been going on in them. The authors provide a great bibliography as well.

Sure, all of these texts are in ANET; but that presumes you have or have access to ANET. This is much more reasonably priced and thus more accessible to students and those interested in Canaanite mythology. show less

52. Stories from Ancient Canaan translated and edited by Michael C. Coogan and Mark S. Smith (2012, 182 page Paperback, read Aug 5-7)

For some useful information on these broken pre-Biblical Ugarit tablets, check this post on LT here. I'll add that they are strange to read, but charming in their content with their complex mythology of gods fussing about, murdering and pleading with each other and getting very drunk. The bible references variations of these gods and beasts, condemning them and also freely stealing their attributes to apply to YHWH.

2015
https://www.librarything.com/topic/191940#5250875

This is a best book for religious background of the Old Testament.

Translated from Ugaritic