Terah and the Gods of Babylon

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 13, 1887

Terah and the Gods of Babylon

Terah was Abram’s father and an idolater, for he “served other gods.” Josh. 24:2. These gods were mostly the sun, the moon, and the planets. Sin, or Hurki, was the moon-god; San, or Sansi, was the sun; Vul was the god of the atmosphere; Nin was Saturn; Merodach was Jupiter; Nergal was Mars; Ishtar was Venus; and Nebo was Mercury. With each of these and in his worship was associated a female divinity. Ana was the god of the lower world, the lord of darkness or death. The chief seat of his worship was Erech. Gen. 10:10. The principal temple at Erech was built by Urukh to Sin, the moon-god. He also built temples to the sun, to Belus and his wife Beltis, as well as to many others, for he was a mighty builder and a devout worshiper of the gods.