Topical Encyclopedia In the ancient Near Eastern context, groves, often associated with sacred trees or wooden symbols, held significant religious and cultural importance. The term "groves" in the Bible typically refers to places of worship that were often linked to idolatrous practices, particularly those involving the Canaanite goddess Asherah. These sites were characterized by the presence of trees or wooden poles, known as Asherah poles, which were erected beside altars or high places.The antiquity of groves as places of worship is evident from their frequent mention in the Old Testament, where they are often condemned as centers of pagan worship. The Israelites, upon entering the Promised Land, encountered these groves and were repeatedly instructed by God to destroy them. 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." This directive underscores the prohibition against adopting the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. The presence of groves is noted throughout the historical narratives of the Old Testament. In Judges 6:25-26, Gideon is instructed by God to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. This act of obedience highlights the ongoing struggle against idolatry and the need to purify worship practices among the Israelites. During the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, the persistence of groves as sites of idol worship is frequently mentioned. For instance, 1 Kings 14:23 states, "They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree." This passage illustrates the widespread nature of these practices and the challenge they posed to the worship of Yahweh. The reforms of certain kings, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, included efforts to eradicate these groves. 2 Kings 18:4 records Hezekiah's actions: "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles." Similarly, Josiah's reforms are detailed in 2 Kings 23:14, where he "smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones." The antiquity of groves as religious sites is further supported by archaeological findings, which reveal the widespread nature of tree worship and the use of wooden symbols in ancient Canaanite religion. These practices predate the Israelite settlement in Canaan and reflect the syncretistic tendencies that the Israelites were warned against. In summary, groves in the biblical context represent ancient sites of idolatrous worship that were prevalent among the Canaanites and other neighboring cultures. The biblical narrative consistently portrays these groves as antithetical to the worship of the one true God, emphasizing the need for their destruction to maintain the purity of Israelite worship. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 21:33And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Introduction. Egypt and Greece. In Judaea Culture and Christianity: their Relation and Necessity. Reform Augustin a Priest The Mythical Hypothesis of Strauss. Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs. Farewell The Nile and Egypt Resources Who was Asherah / Ashtoreth? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Gehazi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Groves for Idol Worship Planted by Ahab Groves for Idol Worship Planted by Israelites Groves for Idol Worship Planted by Manasseh Groves of Canaanites, to be Destroyed Groves: Destroyed by Jehoshaphat Groves: Fondness of Israel For Groves: Forbidden to be Established Groves: God Promised to Wean Israel From Groves: Idols Were Worshipped In Groves: Not to be Planted Near God's Altar Groves: Often on Tops of Hills Groves: Often Used As Resting Places Groves: Punishment for Making and Serving Groves: Worshiped by Israelites Related Terms |
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