ORIGIN: Mesopotamian (Babylonian-Akkadian)
TYPE: Generic title meaning "Lord"
INFORMATION: The Babylonian god Marduk was often addressed as Bel, and the name occurs in the Vetus Testamentum. The New Year festival of Akitu in Babylon included a ceremony of "leading Bel by the hand". The name also appears at Palmyra as the tutelary creator god whose attributes include lightning and an eagle.