Ashima
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Ashima in the Bible?
Ashima was one of the deities worshiped by the people of Samaria, specifically associated with the city of Avva, as recorded in 2 Kings 17:30. The identity of this figure remains obscure, though some scholars have speculated a connection to the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar or the Syrian deity Atargatis, but no definitive archaeological or textual evidence confirms these associations.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Ashima clarifies the biblical account of religious syncretism in Samaria, illustrating how the Israelites combined the worship of Yahweh with foreign gods, which the biblical authors viewed as the primary cause of their exile and subsequent spiritual decline.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Ashima in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ashima clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.