Chemosh the Canaanite Deity

The name Chemosh may stem from the words kamosh or kamashu, meaning “conqueror” or “subduer” as a verbal adjective of this stem (D). As a verb, it can mean “to bend down” or “to bow down.” Chemosh is the national deity of the Moabites. Most of the information available concerning Chemosh is derived from the Mesha Inscription, which dates to the ninth century bc. In this inscription, the beliefs surrounding the deity Chemosh are similar to biblical conceptions about Yahweh:

• Mesha credits Chemosh for his victories (line 4; 8–9; 12–13; 18; 19; 33).

• When Moab is oppressed by Omri, king of Israel, the reason given for this oppression is Chemosh’s anger (line 5).

• Chemosh communicates with Mesha directly, giving him instructions (line 14).

People in locations outside of Moab also appear to have worshiped Chemosh. He was likely part of an early Semitic pantheon, as evidenced by his appearance in these different locations:

• Kamish is a deity listed on tablets that date to the mid-third millennium bc from Tel Mardikh in ancient Ebla. His appearance in personal names, place-names, and his own temple shows that Chemosh was popular in Ebla.

• Chemosh may have been worshiped at Ugarit as a deity with Kammut(u).

• Assyrian god lists mention Kammush and equate this deity with Nergal.