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A betyl (Semitic: bait-el = house of God; Greek: baitylos) is an aniconical God symbol, usually in the form of a vertical rectangular plate or stele. It can also be a negative form in a niche. Often there are several betyls in a niche next to each other, on top of each other or grouped together. "The betyl is not a representation of the God, neither an image of the God, nor an idol. As a medium of the presence of the God, however, it can also experience cultic veneration. This in turn means that in the act of worship, one could offer sacrifices and gifts to the betyl."*
* Robert Wenning: Nabatäische Votivnischen, Clan-Heiligtümer, Tempel und Votive
In: Frevel - H. von Hesberg (Hg.), Kult und Kommunikation. Medien in Heiligtümern der Antike, Wiesbaden 2007, p. 255, transl. UiU