Ashteroth-karnaim is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. It is associated with the ancient region of Bashan, which is situated east of the Jordan River. The name "Ashteroth-karnaim" is often understood to mean "Ashteroth of the two horns" or "Ashteroth of the two peaks," possibly referring to a geographical feature or a local deity worshiped in that area.

Biblical References:

The primary biblical reference to Ashteroth-karnaim is found in Genesis 14:5, which recounts the military campaign of Chedorlaomer and his allied kings. The verse states: "In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh-kiriathaim" (Genesis 14:5). This passage situates Ashteroth-karnaim within the context of a broader conflict involving several ancient peoples and regions.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Ashteroth-karnaim was located in the territory traditionally associated with the Rephaim, a group often described as giants or mighty warriors in biblical texts. The Rephaim are mentioned in various passages as inhabitants of the Transjordan area, and their presence in Ashteroth-karnaim underscores the city's significance in the ancient Near Eastern landscape.

The name "Ashteroth" is linked to the Canaanite goddess Astarte, a deity associated with fertility, war, and love. The worship of Astarte was widespread in the ancient Near East, and her cult was often represented by symbols such as horns or crescents, which may explain the "karnaim" (horns) in the city's name. This connection suggests that Ashteroth-karnaim may have been a center of religious activity dedicated to this goddess.

Archaeological Insights:

While the exact location of Ashteroth-karnaim remains uncertain, it is generally believed to have been in the region of Bashan, possibly near the modern-day Golan Heights. Archaeological findings in this area have uncovered evidence of ancient settlements and fortifications, which align with the biblical depiction of a significant and fortified city.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Ashteroth-karnaim serves as a backdrop for the narrative of divine justice and judgment. The defeat of the Rephaim and other peoples by Chedorlaomer and his allies can be seen as part of God's overarching plan to establish His chosen people in the land He promised to Abraham. The mention of Ashteroth-karnaim in Genesis 14 highlights the historical and spiritual struggles that characterized the patriarchal period.

Conclusion:

Ashteroth-karnaim, though briefly mentioned in the Bible, provides valuable insights into the historical and cultural milieu of the ancient Near East. Its association with the Rephaim and the goddess Astarte reflects the complex interplay of religion, politics, and warfare in the biblical narrative.ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH

ash'-ta-roth, as'-ta-roth (`ashtaroth; the King James Version Astaroth; Astaroth, the city of Og, king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 14, etc.); `ashteroth qarnayim, the scene of the defeat of the Rephaim by Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:5): (be`eshterah) a Levitical city in Manasseh East of the Jordan (Joshua 21:27)): The name probably means "house" or "temple of Ashtoreth." It is identical with Ashtaroth of 1 Chronicles 6:71. Ashtaroth is the plural of ASHTORETH (which see). The name denotes a place associated with the worship of this goddess. Ashteroth-karnaim is mentioned only once in canonical Scripture unless we accept Gratz's restoration, when Karnaim appears as a city taken by Israel: "Have we not taken to us horns (qarnayim) by our own strength?" (Amos 6:13). It is identical with Carnion or Carnaim of 1 and 2 Maccabees, a city of Gilead with a temple of Atar-gatis. The name Ashtaroth has been identified with Astertu in the lists of Tahutmes III of the XVIIIth Egyptian Dynasty; and with Ashtarti of the Tell el-Amarna Letters. Its claim to antiquity is therefore well established.

As far as the Biblical record is concerned, the names at the head of this article might stand for one and the same city, Ashtaroth being a contraction from Ashteroth-karnaim. But in the days of Eusebius and Jerome, we learn from the Onomasticon, there were two forts of this name 9 miles apart, lying between Adara (Der`ah) and Abila (Abil), while Ashtaroth, the ancient city of Og, king of Bashan, lay 6 miles from Adara. Carnaim Ashtaroth, which is evidently identical with Ashteroth-karnaim, they describe as a large village in the angle of Bashan where tradition places the home of Job. This seems to point to Tell `Ashtara, a hill which rises about 80 ft. above the plain, 2 miles South of el-Merkez, the seat of the governor of the Chauran. Three-quarters of a mile North of el-Merkez, at the south end of a ridge on which the village of Sheikh Ca'ad is built, stands the weley of the stone of Job, Weley Sakhret 'Ayyub. By the large stone under the dome Job was said to have sat to receive his friends during his affliction.

An Egyptian inscription, found by Schumacher, proves the stone to be a monument of the time of Rameses II. At the foot of the hill is pointed out the bath of Job. In el-Merkez the building known as Deir 'Ayyub, "Monastery of Job," is now part of the barracks. There is also shown the tomb of Job. The stream which flows southward past Tell `Ashtara, is called Moyet en-Neby 'Ayyub, "stream of the prophet Job," and is said to have risen where the patriarch stamped his foot on his recovery. It is to be noted also that the district lying in the angle formed by Nahr er-Raqqad and the Yarmuk River is called to this day ez-Zawiyet esh-sharqiyeh, "the eastern angle" (i.e. of the Jaulan). The term may in Jerome's time have covered the land east of the `Allan, although this is now part of the Chauran. At Tell `Ashtara there are remains pointing to a high antiquity. The site was also occupied during the Middle Ages. Perhaps here we should locate Carnaim Ashtaroth of the Onomasticon. It does not, however, agree with the description of Carnaim in 1 and 2 Maccabees. The Ashtaroth of the Onomasticon may have been at el-Muzerib, on the great pilgrimage road, about 6 Roman miles from Der'ah-the distance indicated by Eusebius. The old fortress here was situated on an island in the middle of the lake, Baheiret el-Bajjeh. A full description of the place is given in Schumacher's Across the Jordan, 137. It must have been a position of great strength in antiquity; but the ancient name has not been recovered.

Some would place Ashteroth-karnaim, the Carnaim of the Maccabees, at Tell 'Ash`ari, a site 10 Roman miles North of Der`ah, and 4 1/2 Roman miles S 2 of Tell `Ashtara. This clearly was "a place hard to besiege, and difficult of access by reason of the narrowness of the approaches on all sides" (2 Maccabees 12:21). It crowns a promontory which stands out between the deep gorge of the Yarmuk River and a great chasm, at the head of which is a waterfall. It could be approached only by the neck connecting it with the mainland; and here it was guarded by a triple wall, the ruins of which are seen today. The remains of a temple close by the bridge over the Yarmuk may mark the scene of the slaughter by Judas.

The whole question however is obscure. Eusebius is clearly guilty of confusion, with his two Ashtaroth-karnaims and his Carnaim Ashtaroth. All the places we have named lie considerably North of a line drawn from Tell Abel to Der`ah. For light upon the problem of identification we must wait the results of excavation.

W. Ewing

ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM

ash'-te-roth kar-na'-im: I.e. "Ashteroth of the two horns," mentioned in Genesis 14:5 as the place of Chedorlaomer's defeat of the Rephaim. See ASHTAROTH. A Carnaim or Carnion in Gilead, with a temple of Atar-gatis attached, was captured by Judas Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 5:43, 44; 2 Maccabees 12:26).

6255. Ashteroth Qarnayim -- "Ashtaroth of the double horns," a ...
... horns," a place East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Ashteroth Qarnayim Phonetic
Spelling: (ash-ter-oth' kar-nah'-yim) Short Definition: Ashteroth-karnaim. ...
/hebrew/6255.htm - 6kAshterothkarnaim
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH.
ash'-ta-roth ... excavation. W. Ewing. ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM. ash'-te ...
/a/ashterothkarnaim.htm - 11k

Ashteroth-karnaim (1 Occurrence)
... Ashterothkarnaim, Ashteroth-karnaim. Ash'teroth-karna'im . Int. ... Ashterothkarnaim,
Ashteroth-karnaim. Ash'teroth-karna'im . Reference Bible.
/a/ashteroth-karnaim.htm - 12k

Beeshterah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH.
ash'-ta-roth, as'-ta-roth (`ashtaroth; the King James ...
/b/beeshterah.htm - 12k

Ashtaroth (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) Plural of Ashtoreth. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH. ash ...
/a/ashtaroth.htm - 17k

Ashteroth (2 Occurrences)
...AshterothKarnaim: Ashteroth of the two horns, the abode of the Rephaim (Genesis
14:5). It may be identified with Ashtaroth preceding; called "Karnaim", ie ...
/a/ashteroth.htm - 7k

Rephaim (32 Occurrences)
... of aboriginal or early inhabitants East of the Jordan in Ashterothkarnaim (Genesis
14:5 ... who were with him, and struck the Rephaim in AshterothKarnaim, and the ...
/r/rephaim.htm - 21k

Ash'teroth-karna'im (1 Occurrence)
Ash'teroth-karna'im. Ashteroth-karnaim, Ash'teroth-karna'im. Ashtoreth . ...
Ashteroth-karnaim, Ash'teroth-karna'im. Ashtoreth . Reference Bible.
/a/ash'teroth-karna'im.htm - 6k

Zuzim (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 14:5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer came, and the kings who were with
him, and struck the Rephaim in AshterothKarnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and ...
/z/zuzim.htm - 7k

Zuzites (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 14:5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were
with him, and smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham ...
/z/zuzites.htm - 6k

Zuzims (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 14:5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were
with him, and smote the Rephaim in AshterothKarnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham ...
/z/zuzims.htm - 7k

Who was Asherah / Ashtoreth? | GotQuestions.org

What is an Asherah pole? | GotQuestions.org

Why was the worship of Baal and Asherah a constant struggle for the Israelites? | GotQuestions.org

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