Epic of Baal

iconChapter - 1

1Now Mighty Baal, son of Dagon, desired the kingship of the Gods.
2He contended with Prince Yam-Nahar, the Son of El.
3But Kindly El, Father Shunem, decided the case in favour of His son;
4He gave the kingship to Prince Yam.
5He gave the power to Judge Nahar.
6Fearsome Yam came to rule the Gods with an iron fist.
7He caused Them to labor and toil under His reign.
8They cried unto Their mother, Asherah, Lady of the Sea.
9They convinced Her to confront Yam, to interceed in Their behalf.
10Asherah went into the presence of Prince Yam.
11She came before Judge Nahar.
12She begged that He release His grip upon the Gods Her sons.
13But Mighty Yam declined Her request.
14She offered favours to the Tyrant. But Powerful Nahar softened not His heart.
15Finally, Kindly Asherah, who loves Her children, offered Herself to the God of the Sea.
16She offered Her own body to the Lord of Rivers.
17Yam-Nahar agreed to this, and Asherah returned to the Source of the Two Rivers.
18She went home to the court of El.
19She came before the Divine Council, and spoke of Her plan to the Gods Her children.
20Baal was infuriated by Her speech.
21He was angered at the Gods who would allow such a plot.
22He would not consent to surrendering Great Asherah to the Tyrant Yam-Nahar.
23He swore to the Gods that He would destroy Prince Yam.
24He would lay to rest the tyranny of Judge Nahar.
25Yam-Nahar was made aware of the words of Baal.
26He sent His two messengers to the court of El:
27"Depart Lads! Do not sit!
28Then Ye shall surely set face toward the Convocation of the Assembly in the midst of the mountain of Night.
29At the feet of El do not fall, Do not prostrate yourselves before the Convocation of the Assembly, but declare Your information!
30And say to The Bull, My father, El, declare to the Convocation of the Assembly: 'The message of Yam, Your Lord, Of Your master Judge River:
31Give up, O Gods, Him whom You harbor, Him whom the multitude harbor!
32Give up Baal and His partisans, Dagon's Son, so that I may inherit His gold!'"