Topical Encyclopedia Attharates is a figure mentioned in the context of ancient Near Eastern deities, often associated with the worship practices that the Israelites were warned against in the Old Testament. The name Attharates is not directly found in the canonical books of the Bible, but it is related to the worship of deities that were prevalent among the neighboring cultures of Israel, such as the Canaanites and the Arameans.Cultural and Historical Context Attharates is believed to be a variant of the name Ashtoreth, a goddess worshiped by the Canaanites and other Semitic peoples. Ashtoreth, also known as Astarte, was a goddess of fertility, love, and war. The worship of Ashtoreth was characterized by rituals that were considered abominable by the Israelites, including temple prostitution and possibly child sacrifice. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting these practices, as they were contrary to the worship of Yahweh, the one true God. Biblical References While the name Attharates itself does not appear in the Bible, the worship of Ashtoreth is explicitly mentioned. In 1 Kings 11:5 , it is recorded that King Solomon, in his later years, turned away from the Lord and followed Ashtoreth: "Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites." This act of idolatry was a significant factor in the division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign. The prophet Samuel also addressed the issue of idolatry in 1 Samuel 7:3-4 , urging the Israelites to turn away from foreign gods: "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 and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve Him only, and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.' So the Israelites put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths and served only the LORD." Theological Significance The worship of Attharates, or Ashtoreth, represents the constant temptation faced by the Israelites to conform to the religious practices of their neighbors. This syncretism was a direct violation of the first commandment, which states, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). The prophets consistently called the people back to exclusive worship of Yahweh, emphasizing the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The struggle against idolatry is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, illustrating the tension between faithfulness to God and the allure of surrounding cultures. The narrative of Israel's history serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining steadfast in worship and obedience to God, rejecting the false gods and practices that lead away from His truth. Archaeological and Extrabiblical Evidence Archaeological findings, such as inscriptions and artifacts, have provided additional context for the worship of deities like Ashtoreth in the ancient Near East. These findings corroborate the biblical accounts of the widespread nature of such worship and its influence on the Israelites. The presence of Ashtoreth in various ancient texts highlights the syncretistic tendencies that the Israelites were warned against. In summary, while Attharates as a name does not appear in the biblical text, it is closely related to the worship of Ashtoreth, a significant challenge to the faithfulness of Israel throughout its history. The biblical narrative consistently calls God's people to reject idolatry and remain true to their covenant with the Lord. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ATTHARATESa-thar'-a-tez: A title assigned to Nehemiah, probably by a later editor (Nehemiah 8:9). The Septuagint omits the title; the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) gives "Athersatha"; the King James Version reads "Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha." Tirshatha is the Persian title for a local or provincial governor (Nehemiah 8:9 = 1 Esdras 9:49). See TIRSHATHA. Thesaurus Attharates... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ATTHARATES. a-thar'-a-tez: A title assigned to Nehemiah, probably by a later editor (Nehemiah 8:9 ... /a/attharates.htm - 6k Esdras Attharias Attesting (2 Occurrences) First (4693 Occurrences) Book (211 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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