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Why isn't Dagon mentioned in Yirmyahu's prophecy against the Plishtim?
The final chapters of Yirmiyahu are dedicated to Yirmiyahu foreseeing the fall of several nations in and around the Land of Israel, nations such as Egypt, Kedar, Babylon, Edom, Moav and Ammon. For Egypt, Babylon, Moav and Ammon, in their fall is included the failure of their national deities:
"The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, has said: I will inflict punishment on Amon of No and on Pharaoh—on Egypt, her gods, and her kings—on Pharaoh and all who rely on him." (Yirmiyahu 46:25; Amon is Amun, the sun god, at times the national deity of Egypt)
"Concerning Moab. Thus said the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel: Alas, that Nebo should be ravaged." (Yirmiyahu 48:1; Nebo being mostly a Babylonian deity but also sometimes a Moabite deity)
"And Chemosh shall go forth to exile, Together with his priests and attendants." (Yirmiyahu 48:7; Chemosh was the national deity of Moav)
"Concerning the Ammonites. Thus said the LORD: Has Israel no sons, Has he no heir? Then why has Milcom dispossessed Gad, And why have his people settled in Gad’s towns? Assuredly, days are coming —declares the LORD— When I will sound the alarm of war Against Rabbah of the Ammonites; It shall become a desolate mound, And its villages shall be set on fire. And Israel shall dispossess Those who dispossessed him —said the LORD. (Yirmiyahu 49:1-2; Milkom, also known as Molech, was the national deity of Ammon)
"Assuredly, days are coming —declares the LORD— When I will sound the alarm of war Against Rabbah of the Ammonites; It shall become a desolate mound, And its villages shall be set on fire. And Israel shall dispossess Those who dispossessed him —said the LORD. Declare among the nations, and proclaim; Raise a standard, proclaim; Hide nothing! Say: Babylon is captured, Bel is shamed, Merodach is dismayed. Her idols are shamed, Her fetishes dismayed." (Yirmiyahu 50:1-2; Mardoch and Bel are two names for the same national deity of Babylon).
For Edom, Elam, Kedar and other peoples, in my understanding, names of deities aren't mentioned because the Tanach has never previously mentioned their names - so they would be unrecognizable.
However, we do know the name of the Plishtim's national deity: Dagon. Therefore, my question is: Why isn't Dagon mentioned during the fall of Pleshet (Yirmiyahu 47)?
Note: I was unable to link sources for some reason.
0 answers
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