\b0 Etymologically, this word means Lord in Hebrew, but it was used only in re
ference to a particular god. The worship of the god of this name was often opposed, but also occasionally tolerated in Israel. The symbol of this god was a straight stone column, in all likelihood a phallic symbol of fertility. The cult of the god was
widespread amongst the people bordering with the Jews and constituted a constant danger to the faith of Israel not just because of its obscenity, but because it reduced \b \cf4 \ATXht72500 Yahweh\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 to the level of a personified natural for
ce and saw religion as no more than a means of securing natureÆs bounty for oneself. \par