Modern Psychology in the Ancient Bible

The ancient Hebrews particularly needed a psychology that could explain the differences between their beliefs and those of their neighbors. Worshippers of the god Ba'al Peor favored child sacrifice, but the Hebrews did not, at least not most of the time. At other times the Hebrews were ambivalent about idolatry, as were those standing before Elijah on Mount Carmel. Too often the stiff-necked Hebrews were drawn into the very depths of irrational idolatry, provoking poetic prophecies of ex rebuke.