Every ancient Mesopotamian religion, including Israel, knew of a tiered council of divine beings with various responsibilities. Israel’s concept of the council was similar to that of Ugarit, though it had an important distinction that Daniel 7 will highlight. At Ugarit, the top-tier god was El, an aged god with a gray beard. The second tier of the Ugaritic pantheon was the royal family, including El’s son Baal, the storm god. Known as the Rider of the Clouds, Baal served under El as vice-regent.