842. Asherah

Lexical Summary

Asherah: Asherah, grove

Original Word: אֲשֵׁרָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine
Transliteration: asherah
Pronunciation: ah-she-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-ay-raw')
KJV: grove
NASB: Asherim, Asherah, Asheroth
Word Origin: [from H833 (אָשַׁר אָשֵׁר - guide)]

1. happy
2. Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess
3. also an image of the same

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

grove

Or masheyrah {ash-ay-raw'}; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same -- grove. Compare Ashtoreth.

see HEBREW 'ashar

see HEBREW Ashtoreth

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same
NASB Translation
Asherah (18), Asherim (20), Asheroth (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֲשֵׁרָה, אֲשֵׁירָה 2 Kings 17:16 proper name, feminine Ashera (Assyrian proper name, feminine Aš-ra-tu, with sign for deity, in Canaanitish proper name Abad-Ašratum, servant of A. Schr^{ZA 1888, 363}, compare Wkl & Abel^{Thontafelfund} see El Amarna ii. No. 77, 1. 9, & Sayce^{RP2. ii. 67, iii. 71}; on derivatives compare Assyrian aširat, adjective feminine gracious, COT^Gloss): **see now also GFM^{EB ASHERAH} Dr^{Deut 16:21} Allen^{DB ASHERAH}, all doubtful as to Canaanite goddess Asherah; question left open by Zim^{KAT 3. 436 ff.} (on Semitic goddess Aširtu-Ašratu Id.^{ib, 432 ff.}); but see Jerem^{AT im Licht d. Alten Orients 207} (name of goddess Aširat in letter found at Taanach by Sellin (1902-3) and Id.^{ib. 37. 237}) (Oppenheim's find at Ras el-`Ain in Mesopotamia, stone shaft with veiled head as top, supposed to identify post with goddess; if 2 Kings 23:7 refers to draped Asherim [see on text Benz Bur], this even more plausible), Id.^{ib. 23, 208 f. 236}. On pictorial representations of Asherah#NAME?^{AJSL xix.l (Oct.1902)}. — usually with the article: probably

a. a Canaanitish goddess of fortune & happiness; having prophets 1 Kings 18:19, an image 1 Kings 15:13 2Chronicles 15:16; 2 Kings 21:7, sacred vessels 2 Kings 23:4, houses 2 Kings 23:7.

b. a symbol of this goddess, a sacred tree or pole set up near an altar 1 Kings 16:33; 2 Kings 13:6; 2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 21:3; 2 Kings 23:6,15; prohibited Deuteronomy 16:1; burnt by Gideon Judges 6:25,26,28,30. Plural אֲשֵׁרוֺת a. the goddess Judges 3:7 (probably error for עַשְׁתָּרֹת ᵑ9). b. sacred trees or poles2Chronicles 19:3; 33:3; elsewhere אֲשֵׁרִים id. Isaiah 27:9 12t.; suffix Micah 5:14 5t.; — Exodus 34:13 (J) Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3; Isaiah 17:8; Isaiah 27:9; Jeremiah 17:20; Micah 5:13; 1 Kings 14:15,23; 2 Kings 17:10; 2 Kings 23:14; 2Chron 14:2; 2 Chronicles 17:6; 24:18; 31:1; 33:19; 34:3,4,7. — (compare also Sta^{ZAW 1881, 344 f.} RS^{Semitic i. 171 f., 175 n.} We^{H 235}, who think ׳א only the sacred pole.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

אֲשֵׁרָה designates both a Canaanite fertility goddess and the wooden cult symbol erected to honor her. In Scripture the term consistently represents a direct affront to the exclusive worship of the LORD.

Representative Occurrences

• Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:3 – Israel commanded to cut down and burn the Asherim of the nations.
• Judges 6:25-30 – Gideon destroys his father’s Asherah pole and earns the name “Jerub-baal.”
• 1 Kings 18:19 – Four hundred prophets of Asherah dine at Jezebel’s table.
• 2 Kings 21:7 – Manasseh sets the carved Asherah in the house of the LORD.
• 2 Chronicles 34:3-7 – Josiah demolishes Asherim throughout the land.
• Micah 5:14 – God vows, “I will destroy your Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities”.

Historical and Cultural Background

Archaeological finds from Ugarit and elsewhere reveal Asherah as consort of the storm-god El or Baal, symbolizing fertility and prosperity. Worship commonly involved wooden poles or living trees placed near altars. Canaanite religion blurred moral boundaries through ritual prostitution and sympathetic magic; the physical Asherah became a visible, enticing invitation to syncretism.

Israel’s Compromise

Despite clear prohibitions (Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 16:21), the Asherah reappeared in every period:
• During the Judges, it stood alongside Baal (Judges 3:7).
• Under Solomon the practice gained royal sanction (1 Kings 14:15).
• In the divided kingdom, both north and south adopted it—often in high places “under every green tree” (2 Kings 17:10).

The object’s adaptability—sometimes a pole, sometimes a living oak (Isaiah 1:29) or even a carved image within the Temple—made it difficult to eradicate.

Reform and Destruction

Righteous leaders took deliberate, often violent action:
• Asa removed the queen mother from power and burned her Asherah image by the Kidron Brook (1 Kings 15:13).
• Hezekiah “removed the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles” (2 Kings 18:4).
• Josiah ground them to dust and spread the ashes on the graves of idolaters (2 Chronicles 34:4).

These reforms illustrate that true covenant renewal required not merely verbal confession but tangible destruction of idolatrous objects.

Prophetic Denunciation

The prophets regarded Asherah as a symbol of covenant infidelity and a cause of national judgment. Hosea linked Israel’s pursuit of fertility deities to spiritual adultery (Hosea 2:5-13). Jeremiah decried “the shameful Asherim” (Jeremiah 17:2), warning that misplaced trust in created things yields parched souls and barren land.

Theological Significance

1. Exclusive Worship – The Asherah episode exposes the human tendency to supplement God with visible aids or culturally acceptable practices, violating the first and second commandments.
2. Holiness of the Temple – Manasseh’s act of installing an Asherah in the sanctuary (2 Kings 21:7) and Josiah’s later removal underscore that divine presence cannot coexist with syncretism.
3. Covenant Blessing versus Curse – Fertility sought through Asherah worship brought only drought and exile; true fruitfulness flows from obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
4. Typology of the Cross – Early Christian writers contrasted the cursed tree of idolatry with the cross of Christ (Galatians 3:13), a reminder that only the crucified and risen Lord secures life.

Practical Ministry Application

• Spiritual leaders must identify and remove “modern Asherim”—any cultural symbol or practice that competes with wholehearted devotion.
• Public reform must be coupled with private purity; Gideon began in his own household before confronting national oppressors.
• Teaching on Asherah equips believers to understand the allure and cost of syncretism, strengthening resolve to “keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
• Biblical archaeology and historical studies can serve the church by confirming Scripture’s portrayal of ancient idolatry, reinforcing confidence in the biblical narrative.

Summary

The recurring battle against אֲשֵׁרָה reveals the depth of Israel’s struggle with idolatry and God’s relentless demand for exclusive worship. Each mention in Scripture—approximately forty times—stands as a warning and a call to vigilance, urging God’s people in every generation to “worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness” (Psalm 29:2).

Forms and Transliterations

אֲשֵׁ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם אֲשֵׁירֶ֖יךָ אֲשֵׁירָ֗ה אֲשֵׁר֔וֹת אֲשֵׁרִ֖ים אֲשֵׁרָ֖ה אֲשֵׁרָ֖יו אֲשֵׁרָֽה׃ אֲשֵׁרָה֙ אשירה אשיריך אשרה אשרה׃ אשרות אשריהם אשריו אשרים הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה הָֽאֲשֵׁרָה֙ הָאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים הָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים הָאֲשֵׁרִ֡ים הָאֲשֵׁרִ֣ים הָאֲשֵׁרִ֤ים הָאֲשֵׁרִֽים׃ הָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה הָאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה הָאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה הָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה הָאֲשֵׁרָה֩ הָאֲשֵׁרֽוֹת׃ הָאֲשֵׁרוֹת֙ האשרה האשרות האשרות׃ האשרים האשרים׃ וְ֠הָאֲשֵׁרִים וְהָ֣אֲשֵׁרִ֔ים וְהָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים וְהָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה וְלָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה וַאֲשֵֽׁירֵהֶם֙ וַאֲשֵֽׁרֵיהֶם֙ וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶ֖ם ואשירהם ואשריהם ואשרים והאשרה והאשרים ולאשרה לַאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה לָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה לָאֲשֵׁרָֽה׃ לאשרה לאשרה׃ ’ă·šê·rāh ’ă·šê·rāw ’ă·šê·rê·hem ’ă·šê·re·ḵā ’ă·šê·rîm ’ă·šê·rō·wṯ ’ăšêrāh ’ăšêrāw ’ăšêrêhem ’ăšêreḵā ’ăšêrîm ’ăšêrōwṯ asheiRah asheiReicha asheRah asheRav aShereiHem asheRim asheRot hā’ăšêrāh hā’ăšêrîm hā’ăšêrōwṯ hā·’ă·šê·rāh hā·’ă·šê·rîm hā·’ă·šê·rō·wṯ haasheRah haasheRim haasheRot la’ăšêrāh lā’ăšêrāh la·’ă·šê·rāh lā·’ă·šê·rāh laasheRah vaasheireHem vaashereiHem vaasheRim vehaasheRah veHaasheRim velaasheRah wa’ăšêrêhem wa’ăšêrîm wa·’ă·šê·rê·hem wa·’ă·šê·rîm wə·hā·’ă·šê·rāh wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm wə·lā·’ă·šê·rāh wəhā’ăšêrāh wəhā’ăšêrîm wəlā’ăšêrāh

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 34:13
HEB: תְּשַׁבֵּר֑וּן וְאֶת־ אֲשֵׁרָ֖יו תִּכְרֹתֽוּן׃
NAS: and cut down their Asherim--
KJV: and cut down their groves:
INT: their pillars and smash their Asherim and cut

Deuteronomy 7:5
HEB: וּמַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם תְּשַׁבֵּ֑רוּ וַאֲשֵֽׁירֵהֶם֙ תְּגַדֵּע֔וּן וּפְסִילֵיהֶ֖ם
NAS: and hew down their Asherim, and burn
KJV: and cut down their groves, and burn
INT: their pillars and smash their Asherim and hew their graven

Deuteronomy 12:3
HEB: אֶת־ מַצֵּ֣בֹתָ֔ם וַאֲשֵֽׁרֵיהֶם֙ תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּן בָּאֵ֔שׁ
NAS: and burn their Asherim with fire,
KJV: and burn their groves with fire;
INT: and smash their pillars their Asherim and burn fire

Deuteronomy 16:21
HEB: תִטַּ֥ע לְךָ֛ אֲשֵׁרָ֖ה כָּל־ עֵ֑ץ
NAS: You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any
KJV: Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees
INT: shall not plant an Asherah of any of tree

Judges 3:7
HEB: הַבְּעָלִ֖ים וְאֶת־ הָאֲשֵׁרֽוֹת׃
NAS: and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
KJV: and served Baalim and the groves.
INT: and served the Baals and the Asheroth

Judges 6:25
HEB: לְאָבִ֔יךָ וְאֶת־ הָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־ עָלָ֖יו
NAS: and cut down the Asherah that is beside
KJV: hath, and cut down the grove that [is] by it:
INT: which to your father the Asherah which is beside

Judges 6:26
HEB: עוֹלָ֔ה בַּעֲצֵ֥י הָאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּכְרֹֽת׃
NAS: with the wood of the Asherah which
KJV: with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
INT: A burnt the wood of the Asherah which shall cut

Judges 6:28
HEB: מִזְבַּ֣ח הַבַּ֔עַל וְהָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־ עָלָ֖יו
NAS: was torn down, and the Asherah which
KJV: was cast down, and the grove was cut down
INT: the altar of Baal and the Asherah which was beside

Judges 6:30
HEB: וְכִ֥י כָרַ֖ת הָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־ עָלָֽיו׃
NAS: he has cut down the Asherah which
KJV: and because he hath cut down the grove that [was] by it.
INT: and indeed has cut the Asherah which was beside

1 Kings 14:15
HEB: עָשׂוּ֙ אֶת־ אֲשֵׁ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם מַכְעִיסִ֖ים אֶת־
NAS: they have made their Asherim, provoking
KJV: because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD
INT: which have made their Asherim provoking the LORD

1 Kings 14:23
HEB: בָּמ֥וֹת וּמַצֵּב֖וֹת וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל כָּל־
NAS: and [sacred] pillars and Asherim on every
KJV: and images, and groves, on every high
INT: high and pillars and Asherim on every

1 Kings 15:13
HEB: עָשְׂתָ֥ה מִפְלֶ֖צֶת לָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה וַיִּכְרֹ֤ת אָסָא֙
NAS: image as an Asherah; and Asa
KJV: an idol in a grove; and Asa
INT: had made A horrid an Asherah cut and Asa

1 Kings 16:33
HEB: אַחְאָ֖ב אֶת־ הָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה וַיּ֨וֹסֶף אַחְאָ֜ב
NAS: also made the Asherah. Thus Ahab
KJV: And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did
INT: made Ahab the Asherah more Ahab

1 Kings 18:19
HEB: וַחֲמִשִּׁ֗ים וּנְבִיאֵ֤י הָֽאֲשֵׁרָה֙ אַרְבַּ֣ע מֵא֔וֹת
NAS: prophets of the Asherah, who eat
KJV: and the prophets of the groves four
INT: and fifty prophets of the Asherah four hundred

2 Kings 13:6
HEB: הָלָ֑ךְ וְגַם֙ הָאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה עָמְדָ֖ה בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃
NAS: but walked in them; and the Asherah also
KJV: therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)
INT: walked also and the Asherah standing Samaria

2 Kings 17:10
HEB: לָהֶ֛ם מַצֵּב֖וֹת וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל כָּל־
NAS: for themselves [sacred] pillars and Asherim on every
KJV: images and groves in every high
INT: set themselves pillars and Asherim on every

2 Kings 17:16
HEB: עֲגָלִ֑ים וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּ אֲשֵׁירָ֗ה וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֙ לְכָל־
NAS: and made an Asherah and worshiped
KJV: and made a grove, and worshipped
INT: calves and made an Asherah and worshiped all

2 Kings 18:4
HEB: וְכָרַ֖ת אֶת־ הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה וְכִתַּת֩ נְחַ֨שׁ
NAS: and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces
KJV: and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces
INT: the pillars and cut the Asherah broke serpent

2 Kings 21:3
HEB: לַבַּ֗עַל וַיַּ֤עַשׂ אֲשֵׁרָה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֗ה
NAS: and made an Asherah, as Ahab
KJV: and made a grove, as did
INT: Baal and made an Asherah which had done

2 Kings 21:7
HEB: אֶת־ פֶּ֥סֶל הָאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה
NAS: the carved image of Asherah that he had made,
KJV: a graven image of the grove that he had made
INT: set the carved of Asherah of which had made

2 Kings 23:4
HEB: הָֽעֲשׂוּיִם֙ לַבַּ֣עַל וְלָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה וּלְכֹ֖ל צְבָ֣א
NAS: for Baal, for Asherah, and for all
KJV: for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host
INT: were made Baal Asherah and for all the host

2 Kings 23:6
HEB: וַיֹּצֵ֣א אֶת־ הָאֲשֵׁרָה֩ מִבֵּ֨ית יְהוָ֜ה
NAS: He brought out the Asherah from the house
KJV: And he brought out the grove from the house
INT: brought the Asherah the house of the LORD

2 Kings 23:7
HEB: שָׁ֛ם בָּתִּ֖ים לָאֲשֵׁרָֽה׃
NAS: were weaving hangings for the Asherah.
KJV: wove hangings for the grove.
INT: in it hangings the Asherah

2 Kings 23:14
HEB: וַיִּכְרֹ֖ת אֶת־ הָאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים וַיְמַלֵּ֥א אֶת־
NAS: and cut down the Asherim and filled
KJV: and cut down the groves, and filled
INT: the pillars and cut the Asherim and filled their places

2 Kings 23:15
HEB: לְעָפָ֖ר וְשָׂרַ֥ף אֲשֵׁרָֽה׃
NAS: them to dust, and burned the Asherah.
KJV: and burned the grove.
INT: to dust and burned the Asherah

40 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 842
40 Occurrences

’ă·šê·rāh — 1 Occ.
’ă·šê·re·ḵā — 1 Occ.
’ă·šê·rāh — 3 Occ.
’ă·šê·rāw — 1 Occ.
’ă·šê·rê·hem — 1 Occ.
’ă·šê·rîm — 1 Occ.
’ă·šê·rō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
hā·’ă·šê·rāh — 9 Occ.
hā·’ă·šê·rîm — 7 Occ.
hā·’ă·šê·rō·wṯ — 2 Occ.
lā·’ă·šê·rāh — 3 Occ.
wa·’ă·šê·rê·hem — 1 Occ.
wa·’ă·šê·rê·hem — 2 Occ.
wa·’ă·šê·rîm — 2 Occ.
wə·hā·’ă·šê·rāh — 1 Occ.
wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm — 3 Occ.
wə·lā·’ă·šê·rāh — 1 Occ.