Ashe'rah, often referred to in the Bible, is a term associated with both a Canaanite goddess and the wooden cultic objects or poles that were used in her worship. The worship of Ashe'rah was prevalent among the ancient Canaanites and was one of the many pagan practices that the Israelites were repeatedly warned against in the Old Testament.

Biblical References and Context

The name Ashe'rah appears frequently in the Old Testament, often in the context of idolatry and the Israelites' struggle to remain faithful to Yahweh. The Ashe'rah poles were typically set up near altars dedicated to Baal, another prominent Canaanite deity. These poles were considered sacred and were used in various fertility rites and religious ceremonies.

In the Book of Exodus, God commands the Israelites to destroy the altars, break the sacred stones, and cut down the Ashe'rah poles of the Canaanites: "Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles" (Exodus 34:13). This command underscores the importance of eradicating idolatrous practices to maintain the purity of worship dedicated solely to Yahweh.

The Book of Deuteronomy reiterates this command, emphasizing the need to avoid the influence of surrounding pagan cultures: "Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn up their Asherah poles" (Deuteronomy 7:5). The Israelites were to establish a distinct identity, separate from the idolatrous nations around them.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Ashe'rah was considered the consort of El, the chief god in the Canaanite pantheon, and later associated with Baal. The worship of Ashe'rah involved rituals that were often in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh, including practices that were morally and spiritually corrupt from a biblical perspective.

The presence of Ashe'rah worship among the Israelites is evident in several biblical accounts. For instance, during the reign of King Ahab, the worship of Baal and Ashe'rah was promoted by Queen Jezebel, leading to a significant spiritual decline in Israel. The prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and Ashe'rah on Mount Carmel, demonstrating the power of Yahweh over these false gods (1 Kings 18:19).

Reform and Removal

Throughout Israel's history, various leaders undertook reforms to remove the worship of Ashe'rah and other idols. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to purify the worship practices in Judah: "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles" (2 Kings 18:4). Similarly, King Josiah's reforms included the destruction of the high places and the Ashe'rah poles, as he sought to restore true worship according to the Law of Moses (2 Kings 23:14).

Theological Implications

The repeated warnings and actions against Ashe'rah worship highlight the biblical theme of exclusive devotion to Yahweh. The presence of Ashe'rah poles and the associated idolatry served as a constant temptation for the Israelites, drawing them away from their covenant relationship with God. The biblical narrative consistently portrays the worship of Ashe'rah as a violation of the first commandment, which calls for the worship of Yahweh alone: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3).

In summary, Ashe'rah represents a significant challenge to the faithfulness of the Israelites throughout their history. The biblical injunctions against her worship serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining purity in worship and the dangers of syncretism with surrounding pagan practices.Ashe'rah (18 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 16:21
Thou shalt not plant thee an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
(See RSV)

Judges 6:25
That night the LORD said to him, "Take your father's bull, the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Ba'al which your father has, and cut down the Ashe'rah that is beside it;
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:26
and build an altar to the LORD your God on the top of the stronghold here, with stones laid in due order; then take the second bull, and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Ashe'rah which you shall cut down."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:28
When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Ba'al was broken down, and the Ashe'rah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered upon the altar which had been built.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:30
Then the men of the town said to Jo'ash, "Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has pulled down the altar of Ba'al and cut down the Ashe'rah beside it."
(DBY RSV)

1 Kings 15:13
And also Maacah his mother he removed from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 16:33
And Ahab made the Asherah; and Ahab did yet more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 18:19
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel's table.'
(See RSV)

2 Kings 13:6
Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, wherewith he made Israel to sin, but walked therein; and there remained the Asherah also in Samaria.--
(See RSV)

2 Kings 17:16
and they forsook all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal;
(See RSV)

2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah; and he broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made; for unto those days the children of Israel did offer to it; and it was called Nehushtan.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 21:3
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 21:7
And he set the graven image of Asherah, that he had made, in the house of which the LORD said to David and to Solomon his son: 'In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put My name for ever;
(See RSV)

2 Kings 23:4
And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 23:6
And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the common people.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 23:7
And he broke down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 23:15
Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and stamped it small to powder, and burned the Asherah.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 15:16
And also Maacah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
(See RSV)

Ashe'rah (18 Occurrences)
Ashe'rah. Asherah, Ashe'rah. Asherahs . Multi-Version Concordance
Ashe'rah (18 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 16:21 Thou shalt not plant ...
/a/ashe'rah.htm - 12k

Ba'al (55 Occurrences)
... to him, "Take your father's bull, the second bull seven years old, and pull down
the altar of Ba'al which your father has, and cut down the Ashe'rah that is ...
/b/ba'al.htm - 22k

Asherahs (23 Occurrences)

/a/asherahs.htm - 13k

Jo'ash (44 Occurrences)
... 30 Then the men of the town said to Jo'ash, "Bring out your son, that he may die,
for he has pulled down the altar of Ba'al and cut down the Ashe'rah beside it ...
/j/jo'ash.htm - 19k

Pulled (84 Occurrences)
... 30 Then the men of the town said to Jo'ash, "Bring out your son, that he may die,
for he has pulled down the altar of Ba'al and cut down the Ashe'rah beside it ...
/p/pulled.htm - 33k

Asherah (40 Occurrences)

/a/asherah.htm - 24k

Due (93 Occurrences)
... top of the stronghold here, with stones laid in due order; then take the second
bull, and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Ashe'rah which you ...
/d/due.htm - 35k

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