ilu

Updated: May 26, 2025

There is no proof that in South Arabia or in Babylonia the term Ilu meant anything else than the local deity, though such a deity would naturally receive all the attributes that his worshipers demanded in their religious constructions.

Crawford Howell Toy - Introduction to the History of Religions: Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV

According to Renan, evidences that the monotheism of the Semitic races was of a very early origin, appears in the fact that all their names for deity El, Elohim, Ilu, Baal, Bel, Adonai, Shaddai, and Allah denote one being and that supreme. These names have resisted all changes, and doubtless extend as far back as the Semitic language or the Semitic race.

Frank F. (Frank Field) Ellinwood - Oriental Religions and Christianity: A Course of Lectures Delivered on the Ely Foundation Before the: Students of Union Theological Seminary, New York, 1891

Sarratu, from which Sarai comes, was the title of the moon-goddess. In Genesis, Sarai is Abraham's wife. Abraham is a derivative of Aburamu, which was one of the moon's many names. Among these, one in particular has since been identified with Jahveh. That flight of arrows, being interpreted, means: Jave ilu, Jahveh is god.

Edgar Saltus - The Lords of the Ghostland: A History of the Ideal

In each period of their history the conception that the Hebrews had of him was in accord with the economic and intellectual features of the time. +766+. A word may be added respecting the Semitic titles Ilu, or El, and Elohim, which have been supposed by some recent writers to prove the existence of an early monotheism, particularly in Southern Arabia.

Crawford Howell Toy - Introduction to the History of Religions: Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV