"Is IL a Proper Noun in the Phrase BT IL and in the Ugaritic Pantheon Lists?" (original) (raw)

It is often said that BT IL implies the existence of a temple of El. But in the liturgical texts, it means “sanctuary”, or “house of god”, as in KTU 4.149:17. In 1.17 I 32, etc., it is either a restatement or a representation, as a miniature shrine made of terracotta, of “the temple of Baal”. In view of ILIB “divine Ancestor” in the pantheon lists, IL probably means “divine Being”. While IL in the Hurrian list refers to the Ugaritic god El, its Hittite counterpart Anu (“Heavens”) in KUB XXXIII (CTH 344) supports the view that IL is a generic noun meaning “god(s)”.