I. Name

As used in the Bible, Hebrew שׁמשׁ, vocalized šemeš in the MT, is never an actual divine name. Palestinian toponymy of biblical times reflects, nevertheless, the Canaanite cult of the Sun-god, as shown by the place names Beth-Shemesh (Josh. 15.10; Josh. 21.16, etc.), En-Shemesh (Josh. 15.7; Josh. 18.17), Ir-Shemesh (Josh. 19.41). They preserve the memory of sanctuaries devoted to the solar deity, which is probably mentioned ca. 800 bce in the Deir ʿAllā plaster inscription (I,6). The bêt Šeme…