TYPE: Local Tutelary God
ORIGIN: Phoenician
INFORMATION: Probably of Aramaean or Syrian origin. First mentioned in the Fourteenth century treaty between the Hittite king Suppiluliuma and Nigmadu II of Ugarit [Ras Samra]. He appears more regularly on inscriptions from the end of the seventh century BCE and enjoyed considerable popularity during the Neo-Babylonian period. Bethel is mentioned in the biblical text of Jeremiah 48:13, implying that some Israelites acknowledged this deity. There is no evidence of links with the historical place names, including that mentioned in Genesis 38:13