Definition of a Word

Doing some research on Baal worship and came across this entry in Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible:

Various derived epithets and functions of this deity are attested. An extension of the concept of rain is that of fertility. Baal is represented iconographically by a bull, underscoring the fructative powers of the god. Ugaritic myths record at length the struggle of Baal against his nemesis, Mot ("death"). Baal alone among the pantheon is powerful enough to engage Mot, as these two antithetical powers collide mythologically. Baal’s descent into Mot (who swallows him) is representative of the agricultural cycle, as life in a dry-summer subtropical climate entails months of aridity, theologically understood as the absence of the rain-god.

What does the word "fructative" mean? I can't even find it on the web.

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Sam Henderson

Producing fruit -> offspring

Latin root - Via French fructifier from Latin fructificare , from fructus ‘fruit’

George Somsel

Doing some research on Baal worship and came across this entry in Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible:

Various derived epithets and functions of this deity are attested. An extension of the concept of rain is that of fertility. Baal is represented iconographically by a bull, underscoring the fructative powers of the god. Ugaritic myths record at length the struggle of Baal against his nemesis, Mot ("death"). Baal alone among the pantheon is powerful enough to engage Mot, as these two antithetical powers collide mythologically. Baal’s descent into Mot (who swallows him) is representative of the agricultural cycle, as life in a dry-summer subtropical climate entails months of aridity, theologically understood as the absence of the rain-god.

What does the word "fructative" mean? I can't even find it on the web.

fructify (ˈfrʌktɪˌfaɪ ˈfrʊk-) vb -fies, -fying, -fied 1 to bear or cause to bear fruit 2 to make or become productive or fruitful [c14: from Old French

fructifier, from Late Latin frūctificāre to bear fruit, from Latin frūctus fruit + facere to make, produce] > ˈfructiˌfier n

Collins English Dictionary. 8th ed., Complete & unabridged ed. Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2006.

Merriam-Webster, Inc. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Eleventh ed. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003.

JT (alabama24)

In other words, Joe, the "gods" were relied upon to increase the flocks and bring in the harvest.

Beloved Amodeo

I could not find the place in the article you quote in Eerdmans on Baal. However, the suffix used here does not appear to be correct. The term would more correctly read "fructifying". I agree with the other posters. Peace...

Joe Mayden

Thanks to all that posted. This is one of the features I value about the forum!

I now understand the usage.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/267330#Comment_267330

I could not find the place in the article you quote in Eerdmans on Baal. However, the suffix used here does not appear to be correct. The term would more correctly read "fructifying". I agree with the other posters. Peace...

Likewise learned [8-|] By the way, Hebrew ba'al has 6 homographs (AFAT tagging).

Keep Smiling [:)]

David Paul

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/267330#Comment_267330

I could not find the place in the article you quote in Eerdmans on Baal. However, the suffix used here does not appear to be correct. The term would more correctly read "fructifying". I agree with the other posters. Peace...

The way you are using the term--as "fructifying"--would refer to the god's/gods' ability to cause fruitfulness in other areas of creation. Considering the association with the bull, as mentioned in the quoted resource, "fructative" refers to the god's OWN ability to be "fruitful"...if you get my drift (i.e. a bull doing what bulls do).

Beloved Amodeo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/267340#Comment_267340

The way you are using the term--as "fructifying"--would refer to the god's/gods' ability to cause fruitfulness in other areas of creation. Considering the association with the bull, as mentioned in the quoted resource, "fructative" refers to the god's OWN ability to be "fruitful"...if you get my drift (i.e. a bull doing what bulls do).

Here I am merely pointing out that the suffix used is incorrect. If you prefer the adjectival form for the reason you indicate, then the proper form of the word should probably read "fructificative". As the original questioner has pointed out "fructative" cannot be found in common english usage. Thanks for your comment.