Topical Encyclopedia
Ashima is one of the deities mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the context of the idolatrous practices that infiltrated the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The reference to Ashima is found in
2 Kings 17:30, which details the various gods worshiped by the peoples whom the Assyrians resettled in Samaria after the exile of the Israelites. The Berean Standard Bible states: "The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima."
The mention of Ashima occurs during a period of significant religious syncretism and apostasy in Israel's history. After the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C., the Assyrians deported many Israelites and brought in people from various regions to repopulate the land. These new inhabitants brought with them their own gods and religious practices, leading to a mixture of worship that was contrary to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh as commanded in the Mosaic Law.
Ashima is associated with the people of Hamath, a city-state located in what is now modern-day Syria. The exact nature and attributes of Ashima are not detailed in the biblical text, and there is limited extrabiblical information about this deity. Some scholars suggest that Ashima may have been a local deity of Hamath, possibly associated with fertility or protection, but these are speculative interpretations based on the common characteristics of regional deities in the ancient Near East.
The worship of Ashima, along with other foreign gods, was a direct violation of the first two commandments given to the Israelites, which prohibited the worship of other gods and the making of idols (
Exodus 20:3-4). The introduction of such idolatrous practices was seen as a significant factor in the spiritual decline and eventual downfall of the Northern Kingdom. The biblical narrative consistently portrays idolatry as a grievous sin that leads to divine judgment, as it represents a turning away from the covenant relationship with the one true God.
The presence of Ashima and other idols in Israel serves as a reminder of the constant temptation and challenge of idolatry faced by God's people throughout history. The biblical text underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of adopting the religious practices of surrounding cultures, which often led to spiritual compromise and apostasy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 17:30And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Resources
Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the true meaning of the second commandment? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Knox? | GotQuestions.orgIdolatry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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