Overview:
Ashteroth, also known as Ashtaroth, is a term found in the Bible referring to a Canaanite goddess and the city associated with her worship. The name is often linked with the worship of fertility and war deities in the ancient Near East. Ashteroth is frequently mentioned in the context of Israel's struggles with idolatry and the influence of surrounding pagan cultures.

Biblical References:
1. Deity Association:
Ashteroth is often associated with the goddess Astarte, a prominent deity in Canaanite religion. She is considered a counterpart to the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar and the Phoenician goddess Astarte. The Bible frequently condemns the worship of Ashteroth as idolatrous and contrary to the worship of Yahweh. In Judges 2:13 , it is stated, "They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths."

2. Cultural Influence:
The worship of Ashteroth was prevalent among the Canaanites and influenced the Israelites during periods of disobedience. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the religious practices of their neighbors. In 1 Samuel 7:3-4 , the prophet Samuel calls the Israelites to repentance, saying, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve Him only."

3. Geographical Significance:
Ashteroth is also the name of a city in the region of Bashan, east of the Jordan River. This city was a significant center for the worship of the goddess. In Joshua 12:4 , it is mentioned as part of the territory conquered by the Israelites: "Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived at Ashtaroth and Edrei."

4. Historical Context:
The worship of Ashteroth and other Canaanite deities posed a continual challenge to the spiritual fidelity of Israel. The allure of these foreign gods often led to syncretism, where elements of pagan worship were blended with the worship of Yahweh. This syncretism is evident in the repeated cycles of apostasy and repentance throughout the Book of Judges.

5. Prophetic Denunciation:
The prophets of Israel consistently denounced the worship of Ashteroth and other idols. Jeremiah 7:18 highlights the extent of idolatry, stating, "The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger."

Theological Implications:
The presence of Ashteroth in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the constant temptation of idolatry and the need for exclusive devotion to God. The Israelites' struggle with the worship of Ashteroth underscores the broader biblical theme of faithfulness to God's covenant and the dangers of cultural assimilation. The repeated calls to abandon the worship of Ashteroth and return to the LORD highlight the importance of repentance and the centrality of worship in the life of God's people.Ashteroth Karnaim: Ashteroth of the two horns, the abode of the Rephaim (Genesis 14:5). It may be identified with Ashtaroth preceding; called "Karnaim", i.e., the "two-horned" (the crescent moon). The Samaritan version renders the word by "Sunamein," the present es-Sunamein, 28 miles south of Damascus. 6255. Ashteroth Qarnayim -- "Ashtaroth of the double horns," a ...
Ashteroth Qarnayim. 6254, 6255. Ashteroth Qarnayim. 6256 . "Ashtaroth of
the double horns," a place East of the Jordan. Transliteration ...
/hebrew/6255.htm - 6k

Chapter xiv
... the thirteenth year they revolted; and in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer
and the kings allied with him and smote the Rephaim at Ashteroth-Qarnayim and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Ashteroth (2 Occurrences)
...Ashteroth Karnaim: 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

Ashteroth-karnaim (1 Occurrence)
Ashteroth-karnaim. Ashterothkarnaim, Ashteroth-karnaim. Ash'teroth-karna'im .
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH. ...
/a/ashteroth-karnaim.htm - 12k

Ashterothkarnaim
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH.
ash'-ta-roth, as'-ta-roth (`ashtaroth; the King James ...
/a/ashterothkarnaim.htm - 11k

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

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 Ashteroth Karnaim, 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

Zamzummims (1 Occurrence)
... It has been conjectured that they might be Ham-zuzims, ie, Zuzims dwelling in Ham,
a place apparently to the south of Ashteroth (Genesis 14:5), the ancient ...
/z/zamzummims.htm - 7k

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 Ashteroth Karnaim, 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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