Lexical Summary Ashtarowth: Ashtaroth Original Word: עַשְׁתָּרוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Asharoth, Astaroth Or bashtaroth {ash-taw-roth'}; plural of ashtrah; Ashtaroth, the name of a Sidonian deity, and of a place East of the Jordan -- Asharoth, Astaroth. See also Beyth 'Ashtarowth, Ashtoreth, Ashtroth Qarnayim. see HEBREW ashtrah see HEBREW Beyth 'Ashtarowth see HEBREW Ashtoreth see HEBREW Ashtroth Qarnayim Brown-Driver-Briggs III. עַשְׁתָּרוֺת proper name, of a location Ασταρωθ, etc., east of Jordan (name from worship of different forms of `Aštart; in Egyptian ±astiratu, as east Jordan located WMMAs.u.Eur.162,313; compare Tel Amarna proper name, of a location Aštarti); — in Bashan (near Edrei) Deuteronomy 1:4 (רֹת-), Joshua 12:4; Joshua 13:12,31 (all + אֶדְרֶ֫עִי), Joshua 9:10; 1 Chronicles 6:56 = בְּעֶשְׁתְּרָה (i.e. בֵּית עַשְׁתָּרָה) Joshua 21:27; also עַשְׁתְּרֹת קַרְנַיִם Genesis 14:5 (ᵐ5 Ασταρωθ Καρναιν, compare GFMJBL xvi(1897), 155 f. who explains name as Ashtereth of the two-peaked mountain); compare further, קַרְנַיִם Amos 6:13; — site probably either Tel ±Aštara, 21 miles east of Sea of Galilee, or Muzeirib, 8 miles further south; possibly both occur in OT; compare especially DrAshtaroth in HastDB DiGenesis 14:5), BuhlGeorg. 248 ff. GASmEncy. Bib. 335 f. Topical Lexicon Designation Ashtaroth (עַשְׁתָּרוֹת, Strong’s 6252) appears in Scripture both as the royal city of King Og in Bashan and as the collective name of the Canaanite fertility-war goddess Astarte and her images. The same Hebrew spelling underlines the inseparable link between place and cult: the territory was famous for the worship that bore its name. Distribution in the Old Testament Twelve occurrences span the Law, the Historical Books, and the early Prophets: • As a city: Deuteronomy 1:4; Joshua 9:10; 12:4; 13:12; 13:31; 1 Chronicles 6:71. Geographical Significance: Royal City of Bashan Ashtaroth, often paired with Edrei, lay east of Jordan in fertile Bashan. It served as the administrative seat for Og, “who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei” (Joshua 12:4). After Israel’s conquest the site passed to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:31). The Levitical line of Gershom later occupied the surrounding pasturelands (1 Chronicles 6:71), showing that the territory, once steeped in paganism, could be redeemed for covenant service. Cultic Significance: Goddess of the Canaanites The plural form highlights either multiple figurines or the syncretistic blending of Astarte’s various local manifestations. Judges 2:13 records the spiritual relapse of the second generation: “So they forsook the LORD and served Baals and Ashtaroth.” The pairing with Baal (male storm-fertility deity) underscores the fertility cult’s seductive hold on agrarian Israel. The idols were tangible: “The Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD only” (1 Samuel 7:4). Israel’s Encounters with Ashtaroth 1. Conquest. Moses rehearses Israel’s victory over Og “who reigned in Ashtaroth” (Deuteronomy 1:4). The conquest narrative testifies to YHWH’s supremacy over the might associated with the goddess’ stronghold. Theological Themes • Exclusivity of Worship. The recurring formula “served Baals and Ashtaroth” confronts syncretism head-on (Judges 10:6). The first commandment tolerates no rivals, whether territorial deities or cultural idols. Ministry and Devotional Applications • Idols often masquerade as legitimate needs—fertility, prosperity, security. Modern believers must name and renounce contemporary “Ashtaroth” that compete for trust. Summary Ashtaroth stands in Scripture as both a literal city conquered by faith and a spiritual snare repeatedly embraced and cast aside. Its account traces the biblical arc from pagan dominion to covenant possession, from idolatrous indulgence to repentant restoration, underscoring the unchanging demand: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Forms and Transliterations בְּעַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת בְּעַשְׁתָּרֹ֖ת בְּעַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת׃ בעשתרות בעשתרות׃ בעשתרת הָעַשְׁתָּר֑וֹת הָעַשְׁתָּר֡וֹת הָעַשְׁתָּרֹ֑ת העשתרות העשתרת וְהָעַשְׁתָּר֑וֹת וְלָעַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת׃ וְעַשְׁתָּר֣וֹת והעשתרות ולעשתרות׃ ועשתרות עַשְׁתָּר֑וֹת עַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת עשתרות ‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ ‘aštārōwṯ ashtaRot bə‘aštārōṯ bə‘aštārōwṯ bə·‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ bə·‘aš·tā·rōṯ beashtaRot hā‘aštārōṯ hā‘aštārōwṯ hā·‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ hā·‘aš·tā·rōṯ haashtaRot veashtaRot vehaashtaRot velaashtaRot wə‘aštārōwṯ wə·‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ wə·hā·‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ wə·lā·‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ wəhā‘aštārōwṯ wəlā‘aštārōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 1:4 HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּעַשְׁתָּרֹ֖ת בְּאֶדְרֶֽעִי׃ NAS: who lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei. KJV: which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei: INT: who lived Ashtaroth and Edrei Joshua 9:10 Joshua 12:4 Joshua 13:12 Joshua 13:31 Judges 2:13 Judges 10:6 1 Samuel 7:3 1 Samuel 7:4 1 Samuel 12:10 1 Samuel 31:10 1 Chronicles 6:71 12 Occurrences |
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