How did the relationship between Hittite people and their gods resemble the relationship between servants and masters?

In Anatolian religion, the relationship between humans and their deities was fundamentally modeled on the dynamic between a servant and a master. This hierarchy defined both the obligations of the worshippers and the nature of divine interaction.1

The Hittites believed that gods required constant care, much like a master requires service from a subordinate. Deities were thought to reside in temples where they had to be regularly fed, clothed, washed, and entertained by their human servants. If these duties were neglected or if temple personnel failed to follow strict protocols—such as celebrating festivals at the proper time—the gods might withdraw in anger, potentially causing life on Earth to wither.12

This master-servant parallel was most evident in the practice of confession and expiation. Just as a servant might seek mercy by confessing an offense to a master, Hittite royal prayers often featured the king confessing guilt to the gods. By acknowledging their faults, worshippers hoped to appease the divine spirit, believing that a master who received a sincere confession would choose not to hold the servant accountable.13