Baal

<<OT heathen god>>

This was the most popular false god of the Canaanites, who occupied the Promised Land before the Israelites. He was regarded as the god of rain and harvest. Although Baal worship (with the associated asherah poles) was in direct conflict to the worship of God, the Israelites were continually attracted to this heathen evil practice. As God’s representative Elijah had a showdown on Mount Carmel with 850 prophets of Baal (1 Kgs 18:1-19:2).

See also: Elijah, gods (idols).