The Bible is HIDING THIS SHOCKING Detail?

Summary

This video script debunks claims that Yahweh, the god of the Bible, originated as a Canaanite god named El, and later evolved into the deity worshiped by Israel. It critiques the idea that Yahweh had a wife named Asherah, citing archaeological evidence and biblical references. The script argues that the Israelites always viewed Yahweh and El as the same god and that claims of polytheism in Israel's early history are based on misunderstandings. The video counters modern social media-driven misconceptions with a well-reasoned analysis, emphasizing the consistency of Israel's monotheistic belief in Yahweh.

Takeaways

• 😀 Yahweh, the god worshiped in the Bible, is sometimes claimed to be a pagan god from the Canaanite religion, specifically linked to the Canaanite god El.
• 😀 Some sources claim Yahweh was originally a son of El and later morphed into El, becoming synonymous with the Canaanite high god.
• 😀 The Bible does mention the names Yahweh and El together, suggesting a possible connection, but this does not prove Yahweh's evolution from El or imply polytheism.
• 😀 Critics suggest that the Israelites originally worshiped El as a polytheistic culture before adopting Yahweh, but this view lacks strong evidence and is debated among scholars.
• 😀 Exodus 6:3 mentions that God appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai but not by the name Yahweh, showing that they may have viewed Yahweh and El as the same entity.
• 😀 The idea of Yahweh being equivalent to El is supported by various biblical passages, such as 2 Samuel 22:32 and Psalm 89:6-7, which describe Yahweh and El as the same god.
• 😀 The biblical narrative acknowledges Israel's polytheistic history, including worship of other gods like Ashra, especially during periods of idolatry before the Exile.
• 😀 Archaeological evidence, such as an 8th-century BCE inscription mentioning 'Yahweh and his Asherah', reflects the idolatry and false worship happening in Israel, but this does not confirm Yahweh originally had a wife.
• 😀 The absence of a specific word for a female deity in ancient Hebrew, as compared to other Semitic languages, questions the claim that Yahweh had a wife named Asherah.
• 😀 The Bible condemns idol worship and the worship of gods like Ashra during the divided Kingdom, making it unlikely that Yahweh's divine consort would have been part of Israel's original worship.
• 😀 The idea that the Bible was edited to hide a polytheistic past is refuted by evidence, including the consistent portrayal of Yahweh and El as the same deity throughout the scriptures.

Q & A

What is the main claim about Yahweh's origins that the video addresses?

The video addresses the claim that Yahweh, the God worshiped in the Bible, is a pagan god from the Canaanite religion, specifically suggesting that Yahweh started as a son of the high god El and later morphed into being the same as El.

How does the video challenge the claim that Yahweh and El are synonymous?

The video points out multiple passages in the Bible where Yahweh and El are conflated, such as Numbers 23:21-22 and 2 Samuel 22:32, but argues that this does not imply polytheism. Instead, the Bible presents Yahweh and El as the same entity, with Israel's monotheism gradually emerging from this understanding.

What evidence does the video provide to argue against the idea that Israel was polytheistic?

The video highlights that while Israel did engage in idolatry and worshiped false gods at various points, especially in the period of the divided kingdom, this was always condemned in the biblical text. Additionally, the video points to archaeological evidence like Israelite seals and personal names that predominantly reference Yahweh and El, not multiple deities.

How does the video explain the verse in Exodus 6:3, where God says He appeared to Abraham as 'El Shaddai' and not as 'Yahweh'?

The video suggests that Exodus 6:3 does not necessarily imply a retcon of Yahweh into earlier stories. Rather, it reflects the understanding that while God revealed Himself as 'El Shaddai' to the patriarchs, He later revealed Himself as 'Yahweh' to Moses, with both names referring to the same God.

What is the significance of the archaeological inscription 'Yahweh and his Asherah' found in the Sinai Peninsula?

The inscription, dating to the 8th century BCE, reflects the idolatry and syncretism present in Israel during the divided kingdom, where some Israelites were practicing pagan worship. However, the video argues that this inscription does not prove Yahweh originally had a wife named Asherah but rather shows later idolatrous practices.

What does the video say about the linguistic evidence concerning female deities in ancient Hebrew?

The video points out that ancient Hebrew lacks a specific word for a female deity, unlike other Semitic languages. This absence raises questions about the claim that Yahweh had a wife named Asherah, as such a concept would likely have been represented by a term for a goddess in Hebrew, but none exists.

How does the video address the argument that the Israelites originally worshiped El as one of many gods?

The video counters this argument by explaining that while the name 'El' was used to refer to the God of Israel, it does not imply polytheism. Instead, it suggests that the Israelites, under the leadership of figures like Jacob, redefined El as the one true God, rejecting the Canaanite understanding of multiple gods.

What is the 'retcon' theory, and how does the video respond to it?

The 'retcon' theory posits that the biblical authors reworked earlier traditions to insert Yahweh into stories where El was originally worshiped. The video rejects this idea, stating that the evidence does not support such an editing process and that Yahweh and El were always viewed as the same God by the Israelites.

What does the video argue about the monotheistic nature of Israel's early religion?

The video argues that Israel's early religion was likely monotheistic, with Yahweh being the central figure. It suggests that pagan practices, including worshiping Asherah and other deities, were introduced later, particularly during the divided kingdom, and were not part of Israel's original belief system.

How does the video explain the presence of Asherah worship in Israel's history?

The video acknowledges that Israel did fall into idolatry and worshiped Asherah, especially during periods of rebellion. However, it stresses that this worship was always condemned in the biblical text, and it does not suggest that Asherah was originally a legitimate consort of Yahweh.