Topic: Persons Of The Bible -- Ashtoreth

The name is derived from Near Eastern mythology and some hold the meaning to be "a star" but an exact meaning is unknown.

Ashtoreth was the moon goddess of the Phoenicians, representing the passive principle in nature, and Ashtoreth was the Phoenicians principal female deity; frequently associated with the name of Baal, the sun-god, their chief male deity (Judg. 10:6; 1 Sam. 7:4; 12:10). These names often occur in the plural (Ashtaroth, Baalim), probably as indicating either different statues or different modifications of the deities. This deity is spoken of as Ashtoreth of the Zidonians. She was the Ishtar of the Accadians and the Astarte of the Greeks (Jer. 44:17; 1 Kings 11:5, 33; 2 Kings 23:13). There was a temple of this goddess among the Philistines in the time of Saul (1 Sam. 31:10). Solomon introduced the worship of this idol (1 Kings 11:33). Jezebel's 400 priests were probably employed in its service (1 Kings 18:19). It was called the "queen of heaven" (Jer. 44:25).

She was, on one hand, by some ancient writers, identified with the moon, but on the other hand, the Assyrian Ishtar was not the moon-goddess, but the planet Venus; and Astarte was by many identified with the goddess Venus (or Aphrodite), as well as with the plant of that name. It is certain the worship of Astarte became identified with that of Venus, and this worship was connected with the most impure rites is apparent from the close connection of this goddess with Asherah. (1 Kings 11:5,33; 2 Kings 23:13)

Adapted from Smith's and Easton's Bible Dictionary

Derived from Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionaries

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