Ashtaroth
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Ashtaroth in the Bible?
The plural form of Ashtoreth, a goddess worshipped by the Canaanites and Moabites. This idolatrous practice was condemned in the Bible.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Ashtaroth clarifies the specific foreign deities that Israelite prophets opposed, highlighting the cultural tension between monotheistic Yahwism and the surrounding polytheistic traditions of the ancient Near East.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Ashtaroth. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ashtaroth in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ashtaroth clarify?
Related Topics
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Ashtaroth." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ashtaroth/