Atergatis
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Atergatis in the Bible?
Atergatis is a variant spelling of Atargatis, a goddess worshipped in ancient Syria and Phoenicia.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Atergatis clarifies the intense religious competition Israel faced from Syrian deities, highlighting the biblical mandate to reject foreign worship and remain distinct from surrounding pagan cultures.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Atergatis. 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 Atergatis in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Atergatis 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
"Atergatis." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/atergatis/