Unable to control or understand nature, human beings considered the forces of nature as supernatural powers to be worshiped and feared. If rain, controlled and caused by the rain god, did not come, it was because the rain god did not send it. People made idols representing pagan gods for purposes of worship and a semblance of control as a talisman to call upon its power.

Among the many pagan gods of Canaan, the one mentioned the most in the Bible was Baal, because he proved to be one of the most seductive false religions that competed for the people of God (Jud 2:11-13; 1 Ki 16:31-33; Jer 23:26-27). From the ruins of Ugarit (nearby modern day Latakia, Syria), six large tablets were recovered from the dwelling of a high priest at Ras Shamra which revealed most, if not all, that is known about the religion of Baal.

	Ras Shamra tablets

Baal, in Ugarit cuneiform, means "lord" or "master." In Canaanite, Baal was known as "Haddu", which to the Amorites and Aramaeans was "Hadad", and to the Mesopotamians was "Adad". The Bible lists several names for Baal:

Baal – Berith (Jud 9:4): The name for Baal who was worshiped during the time of Judges.

Baal – Zebub (2 Ki 1:2-3): The name for Baal who was worshiped int the Philistine city of Ekron.

Baals (Jud 2:11; 8:33; 1 Ki 18:18; Jer 2:23): The plural form of Baal who was often seen as a god of a city or region.

Dagon, the father of Baal, was the chief god of the Philistines with famous temples in Gaza and Ashdod (Jud 16:23; 1 Sam 5:2-7; 1 Chron 10:10).

Baal was the god of storm and provided fertility for crops and livestock. Symbolic of procreation, Baal was sensuously worshiped, and the sacred men and women in Canaanite temples were prostitutes. Not only was the sexual temptation appealing, but the people of Israel, vulnerable to the weather, also wanted abundant agriculture; idolatrous worship ensnared many of Israel (Num 25:1-16).

While excavating Ras Shamra at the ancient city of Ugarit in 1932, French archaeologist Claude Schaeffer discovered the Stele of Baal of Lightening. This limestone stele, height: 1.42 m (4.66 ft) and width: 50 cm (19.69 in), was found in the sanctuary of one of the two large temples in the city.

Of the relief, Baal is seen 1) in his righthand a club prepared to release a storm, and 2) in his left hand a spear with its sharpened point down and its tail emitting lightening. This stele was dated to a range of 1500-1200 B.C.

Also recovered at Ras Shamra were several small statuettes of Baal, made of stone, bronze and gold, that have the same posture as the Baal in the stele relief.