The term "Queen of Heaven" appears in the Bible primarily in the context of the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Jeremiah. It refers to a pagan goddess worshiped by some Israelites, which was strongly condemned by the prophets. The worship of the Queen of Heaven is associated with idolatry and apostasy, as it represents a departure from the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 7:18 : "The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger." This verse highlights the family involvement in the worship of the Queen of Heaven, indicating that it was a widespread practice that involved all members of society. The making of cakes and pouring out of drink offerings were acts of devotion to this deity, which provoked the anger of God.

2. Jeremiah 44:17-19 : "Instead, we will do everything we vowed to make offerings to the Queen of Heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and were well off and saw no disaster. But from the time we stopped making offerings to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been perishing by sword and famine." This passage reveals the people's stubbornness in continuing their idolatrous practices despite prophetic warnings. They attributed their previous prosperity to the worship of the Queen of Heaven, demonstrating a misplaced trust in false gods.

3. Jeremiah 44:25 : "This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'You and your wives have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled with your hands your words, saying, "We will surely perform our vows that we have made, to burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and to pour out drink offerings to her." Go ahead, then, do what you have promised! Keep your vows!'" Here, God acknowledges the people's determination to continue their idolatry, allowing them to face the consequences of their actions. This reflects the seriousness of their rebellion against God.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The identity of the Queen of Heaven is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, but she is often associated with various ancient Near Eastern goddesses such as Ishtar (Inanna) of Mesopotamia, Astarte of the Canaanites, or Asherah. These deities were often linked to fertility, love, and war, and their worship included rituals that were contrary to the worship of Yahweh.

The worship of the Queen of Heaven was part of a broader pattern of syncretism, where the Israelites adopted the religious practices of surrounding nations. This was a recurring issue throughout the history of Israel, leading to repeated calls from the prophets for repentance and a return to exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the worship of the Queen of Heaven represents a significant breach of the first commandment, which demands exclusive allegiance to God (Exodus 20:3). It underscores the danger of idolatry and the human tendency to seek security and prosperity through means other than God. The prophets, including Jeremiah, consistently warned that such practices would lead to divine judgment and national disaster.

The narrative surrounding the Queen of Heaven serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of faithfulness to His covenant. It highlights the need for discernment and the rejection of practices that compromise the purity of worship owed to God alone.