Profile

Name (1st Mention)
Ashtoreth  /ash-to'reth/
Aliases
Asherah, Ashtoreth, Astarte, Athtart, Ashtart, Ishtar, Isis, Hathor, Anath
Title
False Goddess of the Moon
Tags
Deity, Moon Goddess

Description

Known by many names, this false goddess of the moon is sometimes seen as a consort or female counterpart of the sun god Baal (Chemosh, Molech, etc.).

Lulled in by his pagan wives, King Solomon built a temple to worship Asherah/Ashtoreth which was later torn down by King Josiah who brought Israel back to God. The places of worship to this goddess are often comprised of a grove with a carved tree located in the center. 

As a goddess of love, worship often consisted of sensuality and prostitution, and it's leaders also practiced divination and fortune-telling.

Below are the names of moon, sky/heaven and love goddesses that likely share the same or similar origin:

  • Asheroth / Asherah (Jews, Philistines, Sidonians)
  • Astarte (Phoenicians)
  • Anath (Canaanites)
  • Atargatis (Arameans)
  • Ishtar (Assyrians/Akkadians)
  • Isis / Eset / Aset (Egyptians)
  • Hathor (Egyptians)
  • Aphrodite (Greeks)

"...there is nothing new under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 1:9

Verses

1 Kings 11:5
1 Kings 11:33
Showing 2 of 3 verses. See all