Note 460 — Chapter V · THE MOST PROMINENT FIGURES IN HEBREW MYTHOLOGY. (continued 2)
R. (Russell) Martineau translation
Max Müller’s view (Introduction to the Science of Religion, p. 184), ‘When Jeremiah speaks of the Queen of Heaven, this can only be meant for Astarte or Baaltis,’ is correct only if Baaltis be identified with the Moon. The correctness of this identification, which was first asserted by Philo Byblius, and has been conceded by the older interpreters Grotius and Lyra, and by many modern ones, is very probable; for the name Baaltis stands in the same relation to Baʿal (Sun) as Milkâ to Melekh, Lebhânâ to Lâbhân, and Ashêrâ to Âshêr. Tiele also (Vergelijkende Geschiedenis, p. 512) says the same as Müller.