Baal and the Devourers: Chaos and Disease in Canaanite Myth

Unveiling the Myth of Ugarit: The Tale of The Predators

hidden in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit lies a myth unlike any other — a strange, haunting tale scholars now call "The Devourers."

At its heart is Baal, the god of storms, who finds himself in conflict not only with terrifying monsters, but also with other gods. The story is raw, almost uncomfortable at times, filled with illness, unnatural births, and divine tension.

Yet this isn’t just a wild tale. It reveals how the people of Ugarit saw the world — where gods could fall sick, nature could dry up, and rituals were more than symbolic. In this myth, we see how myth, disease, death, and cosmic order all blend together in the minds of an ancient civilization trying to make sense of life and the unknown.

baal

Baal, El, and the Birth of the Devourers

From the remaining part of the first section of the text, it is understood that the god Baal repeatedly annoys and harasses two women, Talish and Dimgay, who are the handmaidens of El. This behavior from Baal angers them, prompting both women to file a complaint with the god El. El suggests that they disguise themselves and then mate with predatory animals. They do everything El asks, which ultimately leads to the birth of new predatory animals. This concludes the first part of the text.

Summary of the Devourers Myth

Section	Key Events
Creation of the Devourers	Baal angers Talish and Dimgay; El commands them to mate with predators, leading to the birth of monstrous beings.
Baal’s Hunt	Baal seeks to hunt the predators but falls into a swamp, symbolizing chaos and danger.
Divine Illness	Baal becomes feverish, his sickness linked to drought and the collapse of fertility in the land.
Ritual Response	The Ugaritic king is called to perform rituals to restore cosmic balance and counteract the disorder.

Baal’s Hunt and His Fall into the Swamp

In the first section of the second part, we find a description of these massive and powerful monsters that entice Baal, leading him to decide to hunt them. He falls into a muddy swamp, which results in the desiccation of nature, similar to what appears in some Ugaritic myths and other myths from the ancient Near East, whether they are older than this myth, as in Mesopotamia, or more recent, as in the story of Odenis. This concludes the first section of the second part. The text reflects a state of tension between El and Baal, which is a common characteristic of Ugaritic texts recorded in the Late Bronze Age. The myth concludes with a discussion of a ritual that takes place during Baal's absence or at the beginning of his return.

The Poetic Fragment

(about 6 lines missing)

[you make ] us pregnant with Shahar,

[you make] us pregnant with Qadmu?!

Our entrails, El our father,

our entrails like fire they are eating,

our vitals like worms they are devouring!'

El laughed in his heart

and convulsed with laughter in his liver.

'Go out, you, O Talish handmaid of Yarih!

O Dimgay handmaid of Athirat!

Take your birthing stool,

your litter, your swaddling-clothes,

and go out from the tree in the centre"

towards the vast and awful desert.'

Dig with your elbows in the dust,

your nails in the soil!

Go into labour

and bring forth the eaters;

let them bring you to your knees,

and give birth to the devourers.'

El pronounced their names.

'May they have horns like bulls,

and humps like steers!""

And Baal's face was on them.

Baal went out hunting

and came to the edge of the desert.

And now he found the eaters,

and he came upon the devourers.

Baal greatly desired to have them,

the Son of Dagan was eager for them'.

Baal approached them on foot,

and divine Hadd on tip-toe.

... face...[ ]

(first 3 lines only odd letters)

Baal [ ]

divine Hadd [ ]

(II. 7-20 only odd letters)

Baal [ ]

divine Hadd [ ]

(II. 23-24 only initial letters)

...the Son of Dagan [ ]

(II. 26-28 give no sense)

... noble...[ ]

...terrible...[ ]

Baal's eyes' the [ ] seized [ ]

his back they seized,

[his] bo[w they seized

Baal's feet the [ ]

and the...s destroyed [Baal',]

the eaters seized [ ]

[Baal] fell into a swamp[ ]

Disease, Drought, and the Collapse of Order

His nostrils grew feverish [ ]

in his loins he became hot [ ]

his temples [burned?] as though with malaria;

he was as one in a fever [ ]

[ ]

The ea[rth] dried up entirely [?]

The watercourses of the steppe became parch[ed ]

Seven years El filled [ the fields']

and eight anniversaries [ ]

for he was clothed as in a garment in the blood of his

br[others,]

as with a robe in the blood" of his kinsmen,

As seven were f[illed] for his seventy brothers,

and eight for the eighty,

the chief of his brothers found him,

and find him did the chief of his companions.

At the most dangerous moment,

at the most crucial time,

thus Baal had fallen like a bull,

and Hadd had been prostrated like a steer

in the midst of the swamp of [ ]

Let the king pour out a jug

let him pour water drawn from the well,

let him pour from the well in El's temple

and from the deep in the temple of the Craftsman".

Infographic: The Devourers Myth in Ugaritic Tradition

Baal vs. the Handmaidens: His actions against Talish and Dimgay trigger El’s unusual command.
Birth of the Devourers: Predatory monsters are created through divine intervention and strange unions.
Baal’s Fall: The storm-god collapses into a swamp, suffering illness and fever that echo human disease.
Nature withers: The earth dries up, fertility disappears, and drought dominates the land.
King’s Sacred Role: Royal rituals become essential to restore balance and uphold cosmic justice.
Symbolism: The myth links divine conflict with human suffering, fertility cycles, and cosmic order.

Interpretation and Cultural Significance

The tensions between the god El and Baal are a recurring theme in Ugaritic literature. El, often depicted as the head of the divine council, frequently enters into an ideological and symbolic conflict with Baal, who represents storms and fertility. These mythical dynamics may reflect shifts in political or religious power within the culture itself, with new gods emerging over the old ones.

In this myth, the creation of the 'predators' or 'devourers' - monstrous beings born of divine command - signifies a breakdown in the cosmic order.

These beings, associated with disease and destruction, affirm the belief that evil does not arise merely from chaos, but through divine will or neglect. The physical suffering endured by Baal after confronting the predators, including fever and collapse, is directly linked to human disease. His fall into the swamp and the subsequent desiccation of the land illustrate how a god's fate can directly impact the natural world.

The King’s Ritual Role in Restoring Balance

What is particularly emphasized is the role of the Ugaritic king. His presence in religious rituals is not merely symbolic, but essential. His participation reinforces cosmic justice and stability. Without him, the divine order is perceived as disrupted. Ruction, affirm the belief that evil does not arise merely from chaos, but through divine will or neglect. The physical suffering endured by Baal after confronting the predators, including fever and collapse, is directly linked to human disease.

Conclusion: Illness, Fertility, and Divine Justice

"The Devourers " is far more than a strange myth — it's a narrative charged with meaning. It reflects ancient concerns about illness, fertility, and divine justice. It speaks to a world in which gods bled, nature cracked, and kings were more than rulers — they were anchors of the cosmos. The myth’s raw imagery and ritual power make it one of the most fascinating pieces of Ugaritic literature we have today.

Key Takeaways

The myth of the Devourers shows tension between Baal and El, reflecting divine rivalries.
Creation of monstrous beings symbolizes disorder and the fragility of cosmic order.
Baal’s illness mirrors human disease, linking divine suffering with earthly realities.
Drought and infertility represent the breakdown of harmony between gods and nature.
The king’s ritual role emphasizes the importance of rulers in maintaining balance and justice.
The myth blends fear, ritual, and symbolism, offering a glimpse into Ugaritic religious thought.

What are the Devourers in Ugaritic mythology?

They are monstrous beings created by El’s command, symbolizing chaos, disease, and destruction.

Why did Baal confront the Devourers?

Baal was drawn to hunt them, but his failure led to illness, collapse, and drought across the land.

How does Baal’s illness connect to nature?

His fever and weakness caused the earth to dry up, showing the link between divine fate and fertility.

What role did the Ugaritic king play in this myth?

The king’s rituals were essential to restore balance, reinforcing his cosmic role beyond politics.

What does the myth reveal about Ugaritic beliefs?

It highlights the Ugaritic view that gods could suffer like humans and that rituals preserved cosmic justice.

Why is the conflict between Baal and El important?

It reflects shifts in divine power and the struggles between old authority (El) and rising power (Baal).

References

Pardee, Dennis. Ritual and Cult at Ugarit. Society of Biblical Literature, 2002.
Wyatt, Nicolas. Religious Texts from Ugarit. Sheffield Academic Press, 1998.
Smith, Mark S. The Ugaritic Baal Cycle. Brill, 1994.
Pope, Marvin H. El in the Ugaritic Texts. Brill, 1955.
Hallo, William W., and K. Lawson Younger Jr. The Context of Scripture. Brill, 2003.