Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the concept of a "goddess" is primarily associated with the worship of female deities by surrounding pagan cultures, which the Israelites were expressly forbidden to emulate. The worship of goddesses is often depicted as idolatrous and contrary to the worship of the one true God, Yahweh.Old Testament References The Old Testament frequently mentions the worship of goddesses in the context of Israel's interactions with neighboring peoples. One of the most prominent goddesses mentioned is Asherah, a Canaanite deity often associated with fertility and motherhood. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against the worship of Asherah and the setting up of Asherah poles. In Deuteronomy 16:21, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the LORD your God." Another significant goddess is Astarte (or Ashtoreth), associated with the Phoenicians and other Canaanite cultures. She was often linked to love and war. The Bible records that King Solomon, influenced by his foreign wives, turned to the worship of Ashtoreth, which led to his downfall: "Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Molech the abomination of the Ammonites" (1 Kings 11:5). New Testament Context In the New Testament, the worship of goddesses is less directly addressed but remains a backdrop in the Greco-Roman world. The city of Ephesus, for example, was known for its temple to Artemis, a goddess of hunting and fertility. In Acts 19:27, the silversmith Demetrius expresses concern that Paul's preaching would diminish the reverence for Artemis: "There is danger not only that our business will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed, she who is worshiped by all the province of Asia and the whole world." Theological Implications From a biblical perspective, the worship of goddesses is seen as a deviation from the worship of Yahweh, the one true God. The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), underscores the exclusivity of worship that God demands. The presence of goddess worship among the Israelites is often portrayed as a symptom of spiritual adultery and a cause of divine judgment. Cultural and Historical Context The ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds were replete with goddess worship, reflecting the polytheistic nature of these societies. Goddesses often represented various aspects of life, such as fertility, love, war, and the harvest. The biblical narrative consistently positions the worship of these deities as antithetical to the covenant relationship between God and His people. Conclusion While the Bible acknowledges the existence of goddess worship in surrounding cultures, it consistently condemns such practices among the Israelites. The biblical text emphasizes the monotheistic worship of Yahweh and warns against the spiritual and moral dangers of idolatry. Concordance God'dess (2 Occurrences)1 Kings 11:5 1 Kings 11:33 Thesaurus God'dess (2 Occurrences)God'dess. Goddess, God'dess. God-fearing . Multi-Version Concordance God'dess (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 11:5 And Solomon goeth after ... /g/god'dess.htm - 7k God-fearing (24 Occurrences) Goddess (6 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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