Preface Abbreviations 1. Introduction Rethinking the Structure of the Pantheon The Tenuousness of Theories Bureaucracy in the Ancient Near East Ancient Gods and Modern Studies 2. Tablets and Texts The Ugaritic Texts Narrative Texts Ritual Texts Syro-Palestinian Inscriptions The 'Elkunirsha Myth' The Bible The History of the Phoenicians by Philo of Byblos De Dea Syria Minor Sources Art Syro-Palestinian Gods Abroad The Greek Adonis Myth Excavations at Ebla Polemic 3. Authoritative Deities The Office The Gods El Asherah El and Asherah: The Titles of Highest Authority The 'Owners' Parents El and Asherah: Acting as Highest Authority Wisdom Order Malfunctioning 4. Active Deities The Office The Gods Baal Anat Mot Shemesh/Shapshu Little-Known Deities The Gods in Office The Problem of mlk Spheres of Authority The Enigmatic Assembly Malfunctioning 5. Artisan Deities The Office The Gods Kothar-wa-Hasis The 'Technogony' of Philo of Byblos Marginal Deities The Gods in Office Malfunctioning 6. Messenger Deities The Office The Gods Labor-Gods? Seraphim The Gods in Service The Divinity of the Gods The Work of the Messenger Deities Malfunctioning 7. Summary Cosmic Hierarchy A Reflection of the Authors Summary Bibliography Indexes Index of Deity Names Index of Authors Index of Scripture References Index of Ancient Sources.