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Why was the worship of Baal so attractive and fatal for the nations of Judah and Israel?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
The ancient religious beliefs of Judah and Israel did differ, with the pantheon of Judah much more influenced by Egyptian motifs than that of Israel. There is very little evidence of Baal worship in Judah, but he was an important god in the northern kingdom of Israel - not just a foreign god occasionally worshipped by delinquent kings. In very early times, Baal was a weather god but, during the eighth century BCE had taken on solar characteristics, if not synonymous with the sun god himself. Keel and Uehlinger (Gods, Goddesses and Images of God in Ancient Israel) say that Yahweh (YHWH) and Baal were almost synonymous in Israel during Iron Age IIB, the period from approximately 925 to 722 BCE, the end of the Israelite kingdom. Baal would therefore have been as real to the Israelites as was Yahweh, the God who eventually dominated Judaism.
The attraction of Baal to the Israelites was the belief that he was both real and powerful. However, that worship did nothing to contribute to the downfall of Israel in 722 BCE, which was simply a matter of conquest by the Assyrians.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoWhy attractive?
In Hebrew, the word used for straying after the idols was "zoneh," which also means prostitution. The attractiveness of baal-worship is that it was used as an excuse for licentiousness (Talmud, Sanhedrin 63b), wild revelry, and other excesses. Note that the yearning for idolatry has since been eviscerated (Talmud, Yoma 69b), so that today it is hard to see what people saw in it (other than the above).
Why fatal?
Because God stated explicitly that idolatry would lead to downfall and exile (Deuteronomy ch.11).
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Which city was centrally located enough to be the center of worship for both Israel and Judah?
Jerusalem.AnswerThere was never one city that was the centre of worship for both Israel and Judah. The centres of worship in Israel were Bethel and Samaria. The centre of worship in Judah was Jerusalem. Each nation had its own distinctive religious customs.
Why was the worship of Baal so fatal for the nations of Judah and Israel?
The most fundamental principle of Judaism is the worship of the One God. The Hebrew Bible, and the prophets, reminded the Israelites of this continuously. When some of the Israelites (people of Israel and/or Judah) ignored these reminders, it constituted a vast break with their tradition; and abandonment of the entire Torah was sure to eventually follow. See also:Monotheism among the Israelites
What are the names of the divided kingdoms of israel and judah?
Nowadays, Israel is not divided into two kingdoms, but thousands of years ago, Israel was split into two kingdoms called "Yehuda" and "Israel". Both kingdoms were Jewish and both had their own ledership, but only one kingdom, "Yehuda", was oficially ruling the land of Israel and Jerusalem
Is Judah located south of Israel?
yes, Israel is in the North and Judah is in the South.
Why was Jerusalem the center of worship for both israel and judah?
The Temple in Jerusalem.See also:More information
Is Jerusalem located in Israel or judah?
Judah.
Was Judah's name changed to Israel?
No. It was Judah's father Jacob whose name was changed to Israel.
Was Obadiah a prophet in Judah or Israel?
In Israel.
What do you mean by Israel and Judah fell?
This could apply in two different ways, both somewhat related. The assumption is the question refers to Old Testament history of the divided kingdom. Firstly, Israel and Judah fell into the gross sin of idolatry and worshiped heathen idols, which they had specifically been commanded not to do. They fell spiritually, with then the resultant moral decay that accompanied such worship. Secondly, and as a direct consequence, they suffered by falling militarily and were overthrown by foreign powers. Israel 'fell' in this way to the Assyrians. Judah 'fell' to Babylon. Both nations were taken captive, although a few 'stragglers' were left behind.
What continent is Judah in?
Judah was a kingdom that existed during the Iron Age. It was located in Asia in what is now Israel.
Why was Israel more vulnerable to the Assyrian empire than Judah was?
Israel had a border with Assyria. Judah had Israel as a buffer state to protect them from Assyria.
How many tribes did Israel have after solomons death?
After Solomon's death, Israel split into the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Israel now had ten tribes and Judah had two.
