Definition and Etymology:
Ash'taroth, also spelled Ashtaroth, refers to both a location and a deity in the biblical narrative. The name is derived from the Canaanite goddess Astarte, associated with fertility, love, and war. In the Hebrew Bible, Ash'taroth is often linked with idolatrous worship practices that were condemned by the Israelites.

Biblical References:
Ash'taroth is mentioned in several contexts within the Old Testament. It is primarily known as a city in the region of Bashan, east of the Jordan River. This city was significant in the narratives concerning the conquest of the Promised Land and the allocation of territories among the tribes of Israel.

1. City of Ash'taroth:
· Deuteronomy 1:4 : "This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth."
· Joshua 12:4 : "And Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei."
· Joshua 13:12 : "All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei. He was the last of the Rephaim, for Moses had defeated them and dispossessed them."

These passages highlight Ash'taroth as a royal city under the rule of Og, king of Bashan, who was defeated by the Israelites under Moses' leadership. The city was later allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh as part of their inheritance in the Transjordan region.

2. Idolatrous Worship:
· Judges 2:13 : "For they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths."
· 1 Samuel 7:3-4 : "Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, 'If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths. Commit yourselves to the LORD and serve Him only, and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.' So the Israelites put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths and served only the LORD."

In these instances, Ash'taroth is associated with the worship of foreign gods, specifically the Ashtoreths, which were plural forms of the goddess Astarte. The Israelites were repeatedly admonished by their leaders, such as Samuel, to abandon these idolatrous practices and return to the exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Historical and Cultural Context:
Ash'taroth, as a city, was strategically located in the fertile region of Bashan, making it a significant site for both agriculture and military defense. The presence of the Rephaim, a group of ancient giants, adds to the city's historical intrigue. The worship of Ashtoreths reflects the syncretistic tendencies of the Israelites, who were often influenced by the religious practices of surrounding Canaanite cultures.

Theological Significance:
The narrative of Ash'taroth serves as a reminder of the constant struggle between faithfulness to Yahweh and the temptation of idolatry. The biblical injunctions against the worship of Ashtoreths underscore the importance of monotheism and the rejection of pagan influences. The city of Ash'taroth, as part of the Israelite conquest, symbolizes the triumph of God's people over formidable adversaries and the fulfillment of divine promises regarding the land.

Archaeological Insights:
While specific archaeological evidence directly identifying Ash'taroth remains limited, the broader region of Bashan has yielded findings that illuminate the historical and cultural backdrop of the biblical narrative. These include artifacts related to Canaanite religious practices and remnants of ancient settlements that align with the biblical descriptions of the area.Ash'taroth (12 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 1:4
after he had smitten Sihon the king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who dwelt in Ashtaroth, at Edrei;
(See RSV)

Joshua 9:10
and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.
(See RSV)

Joshua 12:4
and the border of Og king of Bashan, of the remnant of the Rephaim, who dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
(See RSV)

Joshua 13:12
all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei--the same was left of the remnant of the Rephaim-- for these did Moses smite, and drove them out.
(See RSV)

Joshua 13:31
and half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families.
(See RSV)

Judges 2:13
They forsook the LORD, and served the Ba'als and the Ash'taroth.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 10:6
And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Ba'als and the Ash'taroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines; and they forsook the LORD, and did not serve him.
(DBY RSV)

1 Samuel 7:3
And Samuel spoke unto all the house of Israel, saying: 'If ye do return unto the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts unto the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.'
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 7:4
Then the children of Israel did put away the Baalim and the Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 12:10
And they cried unto the LORD, and said: We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served the Baalim and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve Thee.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 31:10
And they put his armour in the house of the Ashtaroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 6:71
Unto the sons of Gershom were given, out of the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with the open land about it, and Ashtaroth with the open land about it;
(See RSV)

Ash'taroth (12 Occurrences)
Ash'taroth. Ashtaroth, Ash'taroth. Ashtarothite . Multi-Version Concordance
Ash'taroth (12 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 1:4 after he ...
/a/ash'taroth.htm - 10k

Ba'als (19 Occurrences)
... the Ba'als; (DBY RSV). Judges 2:13 They forsook the LORD, and served the
Ba'als and the Ash'taroth. (DBY RSV). Judges 3:7 And the ...
/b/ba'als.htm - 11k

Ashtaroth (13 Occurrences)

/a/ashtaroth.htm - 17k

Ashtarothite (1 Occurrence)

/a/ashtarothite.htm - 6k

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:6 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the
LORD, and served the Ba'als and the Ash'taroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of ...
/a/ammonites.htm - 43k

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