Nikkal- Canaanite GodDeity"Lady of Orchards"

The Wedding of Yarikh and Nikkal

Nikkal was the goddess of orchards and ripening fruit. Her full name, Nikkal-wa-Ib, means "Great Lady and Fruit." The olive groves and date palms of the Levantine hills bore their sweetness under her care.

A Ugaritic hymn preserves her wedding to Yarikh, the moon god. Yarikh courted her ardently and negotiated with her father Hiribi over the bride price. He offered thousands of shekels of silver and gold. When Hiribi suggested an alternative match, Yarikh refused. He wanted Nikkal and no other, and he would pay whatever was asked. Hiribi relented, and the lovers were joined.

At the hymn's close, the Katharat, the divine midwives, were invoked to bless the union.