Stories from Ancient Canaan, Second Edition

288 Pages·2012·1.27 MB·English

by  Michael D. Coogan

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR STORIES
FROM ANCIENT CANAAN

“Stories from Ancient Canaan has been well known and established over many years for its
translations of the ancient Ugaritic myths and legends. Now, in its new, second edition, it
should become a textbook of choice for all students interested in the cultures of the biblical
world. Everything in the book has been reconsidered, from the translations, to the
introductions, the bibliography, and the glossary of names, and all these have been revised and
updated to reflect the latest scholarship. The translations themselves are fluent and readable—
and the most easily accessible of all those available, allowing both nonprofessional and
professional readers alike to grasp at once the overall story line and the details that fit into it;
a new and much appreciated feature are the descriptions, without cluttering up the text, of
what is preserved and not preserved of the ancient tablets being translated. The introductions
and glossary, in turn, lay out concisely and lucidly the essential features of the culture,
religion, and literature of ancient Ugarit and their relationships to the Hebrew Bible as well as
the content and themes of the translated myths and legends. Two additional and important
Ugaritic myths are included, which round out the collection. It is a pleasure to welcome back
an old friend, and that in a sparkling new dress which will ensure its continued long life and
value.”
—Peter Machinist, Hancock Professor of Hebrew and Other
Oriental Languages, Harvard University, and Editor in Chief
of the Hermeneia Commentary series—Old Testament

“It’s about time that an expanded second edition of a classic is now made available. The
collaborative work of Coogan and Smith brings to life the ancient texts of Ugarit for a general
audience. Without question, this is the ideal introduction to the lively poetic narratives that
characterize much of Canaanite religion in prebiblical times.”
—William P. Brown, Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological
Seminary, and author of The Seven Pillars of Creation
“This second edition makes a good book even better. The revised translations are significantly
updated and improved, while remaining clear and accessible for an undergraduate audience.
The new annotations within the translations will help students follow the sometimes broken
narrative flow of these ancient tales. Coogan and Smith have produced a work of enormous
educational value.”
—Wayne T. Pitard, Professor of Religion and Director of the Spurlock
Museum, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, and coauthor
of The Ugaritic Baal Cycle, volume 2

“An already valuable resource is now vastly enhanced. Michael Coogan and Mark Smith have
extensively revised the first edition from 1978, increasing its length with two new texts,
reworked introductions, additional explanatory notes, line numbers, and photographs plus a
map. Scholars will appreciate their attention to recent developments in the study of the
Ugaritic language and history; others will find these classic stories from ancient Canaan even
more readable and understandable than previous translations. The authors have provided us
with a resource that will deepen readers’ appreciation of the literary creativity and cultural
contributions of the people who lived in the centuries before the biblical traditions emerged.
Highly recommended for all readers interested in cultural and religious history.”
—Douglas A. Knight, Drucilla Moore Buffington Professor of
Hebrew Bible and Professor of Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt University,
and author of Law, Power, and Justice in Ancient Israel and,
with Amy-Jill Levine, The Meaning of the Bible

“The best and most accessible presentation of the ancient Canaanite texts from the city of
Ugarit. The reader will be caught by the stories themselves and encounter many resonances
with biblical texts.”
—Patrick D. Miller, Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament
Theology Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary,
and author of The Religion of Ancient Israel
“Coogan’s elegant translations of Canaanite myths in Stories from Ancient Canaan have
served students well for more than thirty years. Now this classic has been expanded and
updated to take into account advances in the understanding of Ugaritic, while maintaining its
original accessibility and accuracy. This new version will continue to introduce readers to
these texts, marvelous in their own right and essential for understanding the Bible.”
—Lawrence E. stager, Dorot Professor of the Archaeology of Israel,
Harvard University, and coauthor of Life in Biblical Israel
STORIES from
ANCIENT CANAAN
SECOND EDITION
STORIES from
ANCIENT CANAAN
SECOND EDITION

Edited and Translated by
Michael D. Coogan and Mark S. Smith

© 2012 Michael D. Coogan and Mark S. Smith
First edition, edited and translated by Michael David Coogan,
was published in 1978 by The Westminster Press.
Second edition
Published by Westminster John Knox Press
Louisville, Kentucky
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21—10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For
information, address Westminster John Knox Press, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville,
Kentucky 40202-1396.
Or contact us online at www.wjkbooks.com.
Scripture quotations are the authors’ own translation.
Book design by Drew Stevens
Cover design by Dilu Nicholas
Cover illustration: Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY. A stela from Ugarit, dating to ca. 1300
BCE, about 18 inches (47 cm) high, made of serpentine. It depicts the god El, who is bearded and
with a horned headdress characteristic of deities, seated on a throne facing a worshipper, perhaps
the king of Ugarit or a priest.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stories from ancient Canaan / edited and translated by Michael D. Coogan and
Mark S. Smith. — 2nd ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-664-23242-9 (alk. paper)
1. Ugaritic literature—Translations into English. 2. Ugarit (Extinct city)—Social life and
customs—Fiction. I. Coogan, Michael David.
II. Smith, Mark S., 1955-
PJ4150.Z95E5 2012
892’.67—dc23
2011039963
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American
National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library
Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992.
Most Westminster John Knox Press books are available at special quantity discounts when
purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, and special-interest groups. For more
information, please e-mail [email protected].
For our teachers of Ugaritic
George S. Glanzman, SJ
Frank Moore Cross
Marvin H. Pope
Jonas C. Greenfield