Description

Late Bronze Age Idol – Canaanite Bronze Bull

When the Israelites came to the promised land, they encountered locals who worshiped multiple gods, one for every aspect of life. This stood in stark contrast to the Israelite religion, which worshiped only one God – the creator of the universe. Despite God’s warnings to avoid the Canaanite religion, the Israelites began worshipping Canaanite gods. The storm god, Ba’al is perhaps one of the best known of the ancient Canaanite gods. Depictions of Ba’al often show him in the form of a bull, representing fertility. This Canaanite bronze bull may have been a household idol representing Ba’al.

It was not a coincidence that when Elijah challenged the prophets of Ba’al, the contest revolved around a three-year drought and fire from heaven (lightning). God was about to prove that He, and not the storm god, Ba’al, was responsible for the weather.

“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal, follow him … you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.’ … Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.”  1 Kings 18:21, 24, 38

Details:

This bronze bull figurine dates to the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1550–1200 BC). It is slender with clearly defined, although slightly stylistic, features. It has four legs, a long tail, ears, horns, eyes, nostrils, and a mouth.

Height: 2.5″ / 6 cm./strong>
Length: 4″ / 10 cm.

Antiquities from the land of the Bible are great investments and teaching tools. They bring the Bible to life in a tangible way, connecting the stories of the Bible with real artifacts that illuminate the text.

Comes with a certificate of authenticity and all required documents for export approval.

Shipped direct from Jerusalem.

Zak’s Antiquities is the website of Zak’s fine art and antiquities located on the Christian Quarter road in Jerusalem’s Old City. The shop began in 1964 and has remained as a family owned and operated business till this day. For the past 50 years Zak’s Antiquities has sold ancient coins, antiquities and art authentic to Israel and Jerusalem.