אֲשֵׁרָה

2 K 17:16 n.pr.f. Ashera (Assyrian n.pr.f. Aš-ra-tu, c. sign for deity, in Canaanitish n.pr. Abad-Ašratum, servant of A. SchrZA 1888, 363, cf. Wkl & AbelThontafelfund v. El Amarna ii. No. 77, 1. 9, & SayceRP2. ii. 67, iii. 71; on deriv. cf. Assyrian aširat, adj. fem. gracious, COTGloss) see now also GFMEB Asherah Dr Dt 16:21 AllenDB Asherah, all doubtful as to Can. goddess Asherah; question left open by ZimKAT3. 436 ff. (on Sem. goddess Aširtu-Ašratu Id. ib. 432 ff.); but v. JeremAT1 im Licht d. Alten Orients 207 (name of goddess Aširat in letter found at Taanach by Sellin (1902–3) and Id. ib. 37. 237) (Oppenheim’s find at Ras el-’Ain in Mesop., stone shaft with veiled head as top, supposed to identify post with goddess; if 2 K 23:7 refers to draped Asherim [v. on text Benz Bur], this even more plausible), Id. ib. 23, 208 f., 286. On pictorial representations of Asherah-symbol v. WHWardAJSL xix. 1 (Oct. 1902).:—usually with the art.: prob. a Canaanitish goddess of fortune & happiness; having prophets 1 K 18:19, an image 15:13 = 2 Ch 15:16 2 K 21:7, sacred vessels 2 K 23:4, houses v 7. a symbol of this goddess, a sacred tree or pole set up near an altar 1 K 16:33 2 K 13:6; 17:16; 18:4; 21:3; 23:6, 15; prohibited Dt 16:21; burnt by Gideon Ju 6:25, 26, 28, 30. אֲשֵׁרוֹת the goddess Ju 3:7 (prob. error for עַשְׁתָּרֹת 𝔙). sacred trees or poles 2 Ch 19:3; 33:3; elsewhere אֲשֵׁרִים id. Is 27:9 + 12 times; sf. Mi 5:13 + 5 times;—Ex 34:13 (J) Dt 7:5; 12:3 Is 17:8; 27:9 Je 17:2 Mi 5:13 1 K 14:15, 23 2 K 17:10, 23:14 2 Ch 14:2; 17:6; 24:18; 31:1; 33:19; 34:3, 4, 7.—(Cf. also StaZAW 1881, 344 f. RSSem i. 171 f., 175n. WeH 235, who think א׳ only the sacred pole.)