עַשְׁתָּרוֹת
Ashtaroth, the name of a Sidonian deity, and of a place East of the Jordan
Definition
The Hebrew word עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (Ashtaroth) primarily refers to a Canaanite goddess of fertility, love, and war, worshipped by the Sidonians and other neighboring peoples (Judges 2:13, 10:6). It also denotes a city or region east of the Jordan River, likely named after the deity, which was home to the Rephaim and later conquered by the Israelites (Deuteronomy 1:4, Joshua 9:10, 12:4). In some contexts, the plural form may represent the goddess and her associated cultic practices collectively.
Biblical Usage
The word appears 12 times, primarily in historical books like Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and 1 Samuel. It is used both as a divine name for the Canaanite goddess (Judges 2:13, 10:6; 1 Samuel 7:3) and as a geographical name for a city or territory in Bashan, often mentioned alongside Edrei (Joshua 12:4, 13:12, 31). The usage reflects Israel's encounters with both the religious influence and the physical lands of their neighbors.
Etymology
Derived from the singular עַשְׁתְּרָה (Ashtarah, H6251), which is a Hebrew adaptation of the Canaanite goddess ʿAṯtart (Astarte). The name is linguistically related to the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar and the Phoenician Astarte. The plural form עַשְׁתָּרוֹת may indicate majesty, multiplicity, or associated cult objects.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it represents the idolatrous practices that repeatedly seduced Israel away from Yahweh, illustrating the spiritual battle between the one true God and pagan deities (Judges 2:13, 1 Samuel 7:3-4). Understanding Ashtaroth enriches reading by highlighting the constant biblical theme of covenant faithfulness versus syncretism, and God's judgment on false worship.
In ancient Canaanite and Sidonian culture, Ashtaroth (Astarte) was a major goddess of fertility, sexuality, and warfare, often associated with sacred prostitution and ritual practices condemned in the Old Testament. The naming of a city after her indicates her regional importance. This contrasts sharply with Israel's monotheistic worship of Yahweh, who demanded exclusive allegiance.
עַשְׁתֹּרֶת (Ashtoreth, H6253) — the singular form of the goddess's name, used specifically in 1 Kings 11:5, 33. בַּעַל (Baal, H1168) — another major Canaanite deity, often paired with Ashtaroth in idolatrous worship (Judges 2:13). תְּרָפִים (teraphim, H8655) — household idols, representing a broader category of pagan cult objects.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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