In the biblical context, altars were central to worship and sacrifice, serving as places where individuals and communities could offer sacrifices to God. However, throughout the Old Testament, there is a recurring theme of idolatry, where altars were misused for the worship of false gods. A common practice among idolaters was the planting of groves, or Asherah poles, near these altars. This practice is frequently condemned in Scripture as it represents a direct violation of the first commandment, which prohibits the worship of any gods other than Yahweh.

The association of groves with idolatrous altars is first noted in the historical books of the Old Testament. In Judges 3:7 , it is recorded, "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs." The Asherahs, often represented by wooden poles or trees, were symbols of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, and their presence near altars signified the blending of pagan practices with the worship of Yahweh.

The Book of Kings provides further insight into this practice. In 1 Kings 14:23 , it is stated, "They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree." This verse highlights the widespread nature of this idolatrous practice, as the Israelites adopted the customs of the surrounding nations, erecting altars and planting groves in high places, which were often associated with pagan worship.

The prophets of Israel consistently spoke against these practices. The prophet Jeremiah, for instance, rebuked the people for their idolatry, saying in Jeremiah 17:2 , "Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills." This indicates that the idolatrous practices had become deeply ingrained in the culture, passed down through generations.

The presence of groves near altars was not only a physical manifestation of idolatry but also a spiritual corruption that led the people away from the true worship of God. The reforming kings of Judah, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, took significant steps to eradicate these practices. In 2 Kings 18:4 , it is recorded of Hezekiah, "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles." Similarly, Josiah's reforms are noted in 2 Kings 23:14 , "He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones."

The planting of groves near altars serves as a poignant reminder of the constant struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptation to conform to the practices of surrounding cultures. The biblical narrative consistently calls the people of God to purity in worship, emphasizing the importance of exclusive devotion to Yahweh and the rejection of all forms of idolatry.Judges 6:30
Then the men of the city said to Joash, Bring out your son, that he may die: because he has cast down the altar of Baal, and because he has cut down the grove that was by it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 16:32,33
And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 21:3
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Rom. xi. 7
... slay the prophets, didst overthrow the altars, didst exhibit ... And this though ye neither
are idolaters, nor do ... He does not say, "thou wert" planted "in," but ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix rom xi 7.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... no; they are the publicans and harlots, idolaters and Jerusalem ... went the groves,
the idols, and altars of Baal ... before they are cut down, and planted or placed ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... no; they are the publicans and harlots, idolaters and Jerusalem ... went the groves,
the idols, and altars of Baal ... before they are cut down, and planted or placed ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

Who was Athaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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