Goddess
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Goddess in the Bible?
The Hebrew Bible lacks a specific lexical equivalent for 'goddess,' utilizing terms like 'elohim' or 'baal' in feminine contexts or referring to specific deities by name, while the New Testament explicitly mentions Diana (Artemis) in Acts 19.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the linguistic absence of a generic term for 'goddess' in Hebrew clarifies the biblical authors' polemical stance against polytheism and their specific identification of rival female deities rather than acknowledging a parallel divine feminine category.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Goddess. 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 Goddess in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Goddess 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
"Goddess." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/goddess/