Lexical Summary Ashtoreth: Ashtoreth Original Word: עַשְׁתֹּרֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ashtoreth Probably for ashtrah; Ashtoreth, the Phoenician goddess of love (and increase) -- Ashtoreth. see HEBREW ashtrah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as Ashtoreth, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs עַשְׁתֹּ֫רֶת proper name, of deities ±Aštœreth, < ±Ašt¹rt, ±Aštéreth (see below) (MI17 עשתר כמש; Phoenician עשתרת (+ often in proper names), proper name עבד עשתר CookAcad. Jan.18, 1896 Sabean proper name, of deity עתֿתר see especially OsZMG xx (1866), 279 f. DHMib. xxxvii (1883), 376 FellSab. Gotternamen, ZMG liv (1900), 231 ff., especially 237 ff.; Assyrian Ištar; Old Aramaic, Palmyrene עתר (= עתֿתר) in proper name; in Egyptian ±astirati WMMAs.u.Eur.313; Greek Ἀστάρτη; on their Greek equivalents (e.g. Ἀφροδίτη) compare LewyFremdw. 148, 186 f, 250); — ֶֹ֯ probably artificial, to suggest בּשֶׁת, originally תַּרְתְּ-, תֶּרֶת-, compare Ištar, Ασταρτη, etc.; ׳ע 1 Kings 11:5 2t.; plural תָּרוֺת- Judges 2:13 + 3t.+ רֹת- 1 Samuel 7:4; 1 Samuel 31:10 read probably singular (Dr and others); — ±Aštart, ±Aštereth (Ασταρτη, plural Ασταρται, but Judges 10:6; 1 Samuel 7:4 Ασταρωθ), ancient Semitic goddess (with male counterpart in Moabite, Sabean and apparently Phoenician); Phoenician deity, עשׁתרת אֱלֹהֵי צִדֹנִים 1 Kings 11:5,33, ׳שִׁקֻּץ צ ׳ע 2 Kings 23:13; so probably ׳בֵּית ע 1 Samuel 31:10 (reading singular; see especially Dr); elsewhere plural, of various local goddesses, called עֲשְׁתָּרוֺת (compareAssyrian ilâni u ištarat = gods and Ištars (i.e. goddesses), usually + בעל(יםׅ, as Canaanitish deities Judges 2:13; Judges 10:6; 1 Samuel 7:4; 1 Samuel 12:10; "" אֱלֹהֵי הַנֵּכָר 1 Samuel 7:3. — See especially DrAshtoreth in HastDB; on Išitar JastrRel. Babylonian passive especially 202 f.; on `Athtar BaeRel. 117 f; on Phoenician on `Aštart PietschmGeschichte. Phön. 184 f.; on ±Ashtoreth BartonJBL x (1891), 73 ff. GFMEncy. Bib. Topical Lexicon Name and Identity Ashtoreth was the primary fertility and war goddess venerated by the Sidonians and wider Canaanite world. In extrabiblical texts she appears as “Astarte,” consort of Baal and counterpart to Mesopotamian Ishtar. Her worship blended sensuality, astrology, and military triumph, making her a powerful symbol of both sexuality and political dominance. Within Israel’s borders her cult was always foreign, yet it repeatedly enticed the covenant people through intermarriage and cultural accommodation. Biblical References 1 Kings 11:5 records the tragic turning point in Solomon’s life: “Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites”. The same indictment is echoed in 1 Kings 11:33, where the LORD explains the loss of most of Solomon’s kingdom “because they have forsaken Me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians.” Finally, in 2 Kings 23:13 Josiah defiled “the high places east of Jerusalem… which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth.” Each text frames Ashtoreth’s cult as a direct violation of the first commandment and a catalyst for national judgment. Although the singular form occurs only three times, the plural “Ashtaroth” often appears (for example, Judges 2:13; 1 Samuel 7:3–4) to describe regional manifestations or images of the same deity, underscoring her pervasive influence. Historical Background Archaeology from Ras Shamra (ancient Ugarit) and Phoenician sites has uncovered plaques, figurines, and inscriptions naming Astarte alongside Baal as patrons of fertility and kingship. Rituals commonly involved sacred prostitution, ecstatic celebration of seasonal cycles, and divinatory practices tied to the planet Venus (“the morning star”). The high places Solomon built probably featured standing stones, cultic poles, and shrine prostitutes (2 Kings 23:7). Such rites directly contradicted the Torah’s prohibitions (Deuteronomy 12:2–4; 23:17). Theological Significance 1. Spiritual Adultery: Israel’s covenant with the LORD is repeatedly portrayed as marriage; to follow Ashtoreth was to commit adultery against God (Hosea 2:13). Josiah’s Reform and the Hope of Restoration Josiah’s destruction of Ashtoreth’s high place (2 Kings 23:13) illustrates the possibility of renewal when leaders confront entrenched idolatry. Yet the reform was short-lived; Judah’s exile followed within decades, proving that external cleansing must be matched by internal repentance (Jeremiah 25:3–11). Ministry Application • Guarding the Heart: Modern believers face cultural pressures analogous to Ashtoreth’s sensual and material allure. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). Related Passages and Themes Judges 10:6 – early cycles of apostasy. 1 Samuel 7:3–4 – Samuel’s call to abandon Baal and Ashtaroth. Psalm 106:34–39 – summary of Canaanite idolatry and its consequences. Galatians 5:19–21 – works of the flesh including idolatry and sexual immorality. Revelation 17:1–6 – the final judgment of the great harlot, echoing ancient fertility cults. Summary Ashtoreth embodies the perennial temptation to merge devotion to the living God with the sensual, self-gratifying worship of surrounding culture. Scripture’s brief but potent references to her serve as enduring warnings and call the people of God to wholehearted, exclusive allegiance to the LORD. Forms and Transliterations לְעַשְׁתֹּ֣רֶת ׀ לְעַשְׁתֹּרֶת֮ לעשתרת עַשְׁתֹּ֔רֶת עשתרת ‘aš·tō·reṯ ‘aštōreṯ ashToret lə‘aštōreṯ lə·‘aš·tō·reṯ leashtoRetLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 11:5 HEB: שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י עַשְׁתֹּ֔רֶת אֱלֹהֵ֖י צִדֹנִ֑ים KJV: after Ashtoreth the goddess INT: Solomon after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians 1 Kings 11:33 2 Kings 23:13 3 Occurrences |
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