Early Iron Age (1200–1000 BCE) thumb|alt=A bronze bull|Early Iron Age bull figurine from Bull Site at Dhahrat et-Tawileh (modern West Bank, ancient Ephraim), representing El, Baal or Yahweh In the Early Iron Age, the modern consensus is that there was no distinction in language or material culture between Canaanites and Israelites. Scholars accordingly define Israelite culture as a subset of Canaanite culture. In this view, the Israelite religion consisted of Canaanite gods such as El, the ruler of the pantheon, Asherah, his consort, and Baal. However, Israel Knohl argues that there is no evidence of any anthropomorphic figurines or cultic statues in Israel during this period, suggesting monotheistic practice.
EarlY Iron Age (1200–1000 bcE) ThUmb|alt=a broNze BulL|early Iron AGe BUll FIgurIne From BULL sItE aT Dhahrat eT-tAWilEh (mOdErN WeST bAnk, anciEnt ePHRaIm), rePresEnting eL, baaL or yahwEh in tHe eArLy iron age, the mOdern ConsEnsUs is thAt tHerE wAs No dIstinctIon in lAnGuaGE Or MatERiAL CUltuRe betweeN CanaaniteS and isRaeliteS. SChoLars accorDingLY dEfINE IsRaElite cULture as a subseT oF cAnaaNite culTurE. In ThiS VIew, thE iSraelite rElIGion consIsteD Of caNaanite godS Such as eL, The ruLEr Of the pantheOn, asherah, his coNsOrt, and baAl. hoWever, israel knohl argueS thaT THEre Is No eVidenCE of any anthRoPomorPhic figuRinEs or cULTic statuEs In Israel dUriNg tHIs PerIod, sUggesTing monothEisTiC practIcE.