#shalim

On the face of it, the three expressions seem to be parallel. The first may identify the group involved as El's family, but it would be possible to render bn 'il as "divine sons" and not literally as "sons of El." The other two phrases, "the assembly of the stars" (pḫr kbbm) and "the circle of those of heaven" ([]dr dt šmm), clearly involve astral language for it (cf 'ilm kbkbm in 1.43.2-3). However, it is important to note that the context of 1.10 I 3-5 is broken and not well understood. Given the many difficulties involved in interpreting 1.10 I 3-5, the hypothesis that El's family is astral requires support from texts that mention El and astral deities. Many astral figures are worthy of consideration in this regard: Shahar and Shalim, Yarih, Shapshu, Athtar and Athtart, and Resheph. 1. Shahar, "Dawn," and Shalim, "Dusk," are El's two sons, according to KTU 1.2.3. 2.The Moon-God Yarih̭ is evidently identified as n'mn ['i]lm, "the favorite of El," in KTU 1.24.25. In 1.92.14-6 Athtart's hunt provides meat for El and Yarih̭, the latter presumably as a member of the Head God's household. Yarih̭ participates in the cooking of a meal in El's house in 1.114. 3. The Sun-Goddess Shapshu serves as El's special messenger according to KTU 1.6 VI. It is to be noted further that the stars (kbkbm knm) are generally grouped after Her in 1.23.54 (cf bt 'ilm kbkbm in 1.43.2-3). See also the blessing in 1.102.26-7 paralleling the sun and moon with El: lymt špš wyrḫ wn'mtš'il. From the texts cited thus far it might be suggested that the sun, moon, and stars belong to El's family. 4. Athtar and Athtart seem also to belong to El's family, though supporting evidence lies in different texts. The Baal Cycle indicates that Athtar, unlike Baal, belongs to the family of El and Athirat (1.6.1). Athtart likewise seems to belong to El's family (see 1.92.14-6, noted above). At Emar (modern Tel Meskene), Athtar is once called dAš-tar MUL, "Ashtar of the Stars," and Aramaic texts from the ninth century onward attest to 'tršmn, "Athtar of Heaven," apparently a reference to the God's astral character. References to the astral character of Ishtar in Mesopotamian sources are also commonly used to bolster a case for Athtart as an astral "Queen of Heaven." Taken together such textual references lend credence to the old view that Athtar and Athtart represent the morning and evening "star" (Venus.) Accordingly, the basis for Their relationship to El and Athirat may lie in the astral character of this family unit. 5. Resheph may also be an astral figure. MJ Dahood and WJ Fulco have argued for the astralization of Resheph at Ugarit, based on the astronomical-omen text KTU 1.78: bṯṯ ym ḫdṯ ḫyr 'rbt špš ṯǵrh ršp, "on day six [?] of the new moon [in the month] of Hyr, the Sun went down, with Resheph [=Mars?] as Her/its gatekeeper." If the identification of Resheph with Mars is correct, then the text provides evidence for the astral character of the God. However, this identification is not assured. It may be noted perhaps in support of Resheph's astral character that 1.107.40 pairs Him with the Moon-God Yarih̭. However, it is also unclear if Resheph belongs specifically to El's family.