Ashtoreth
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Ashtoreth in the Bible?
Ashtoreth was a prominent goddess in the ancient Near East, associated with fertility, war, and sexuality, and often identified with the Canaanite Asherah and the Mesopotamian Ishtar.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Ashtoreth clarifies the religious conflicts described in the Old Testament, where the worship of this deity is frequently condemned as idolatry that led Israel away from the worship of Yahweh.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Ashtoreth. 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 Ashtoreth in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ashtoreth clarify?
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
"Ashtoreth." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ashtoreth/