West Semitic god, probably introduced to Egypt by the Hyksos. Because he was a rain and storm god, he was equated with the Egyptian god Seth. In the Ramesside period, when Seth was very popular and several kings even bore his name (Sethos, Sethnakht), Baal too grew in importance and was linked with the invincible power of the king. Baal was worshipped in Egypt on a limited scale, as far as we can discover from archaeological sources, possibly mainly by foreigners. Nevertheless, his cult is known as late as the Late Period.