During the early millennia (1st and 2nd centuries B.C.) gods were often
referred to titles or names which were not always consistent. It is
often difficult to ascertain their relationship to other deities and
to determine their individuality. It appears that there was a tendency
to concentrate all divine power in one deity even though various gods
where believed to rule varieties of domains in heaven and on earth.
Phoenician paganism was inspired by the powers and processes of nature.
Many of the gods they worshiped, however, were localized and are now
known only under their local names. A pantheon was presided over by
the father of the gods, but a goddess was the principal figure in the
Phoenician pantheon. This faith system influenced and was influenced
by other religions of conquerors and cultures. Egyptian, Mesopotamian,
Greek, and Roman gods found their way into Phoenician temples and were
often worshiped side by side with Canaanite gods.
Jesus Christ started his ministry among Jews and they were the first
to accept his message. However, the Phoenicians where among the first
gentiles to accept the Christian faith. Among the earliest references
in the Bible of a gentile convert was the woman from Sidon for whom
Jesus performed a miracle because of her great faith. In later centuries,
they suffered many persecutions for their faith.
 Phoenician Theology, Theogony and Creation Story
For essays on Phoenician theology, theogony (god-idea) and the Phoenician creation story, please use the related links.
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