"The King James Version translated Asherah “grove” and the proper noun “Ashtaroth.”"
"The writers of the Old Testament referred to the image of Asherah as well as to “prophets” belonging to her and to vessels used in her worship (1 Kings 15:13, 1 Kings 18:19; 2 Kings 21:7, 2 Kings 23:4; 2 Chronicles 15:16). Over half of the Old Testament references to Asherah can be found in the books of Kings and Chronicles. Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3 instructed the Israelites to cut down and burn up the Asherim (plural form of Asherah). Deuteronomy 16:21 prohibited the planting of a tree as an “Asherah.”"
"The writers of the Old Testament did not provide an actual description of an “asherah” or the origin of the worship of Asherah. Other religious writings from the Ancient Near East indicate that “Asherah” was the Hebrew name for an Amorite or Canaanite goddess who was worshiped in various parts of the Ancient Near East" (J.Newell)(Holman Bible Dic)
3/21/11 1:11 PM
