Resheph

Resheph (also spelled Reshef or Reshpu) is a deity found in the ancient Near Eastern religions, particularly in the Canaanite and Ugaritic pantheons. The name Resheph is derived from the Semitic root r-š-p, which is associated with the idea of burning or setting on fire. In Hebrew, the name is transliterated as רשף. Resheph is often depicted as a god of plague and pestilence, as well as a deity associated with healing and the underworld. In the Ugaritic texts, Resheph is mentioned as a son of the god El and is often linked with the god Baal, who is the storm and fertility god. The deity is also known in the Egyptian pantheon as Resheph or Reshepu, where he is associated with the god Seth and is depicted as a protector against plague. In Akkadian, the name is transliterated as 𒊑𒉺𒁍 (Rēšpu). Resheph's role as a god of both destruction and healing reflects the ancient understanding of the dual nature of disease and its cure.