אֲשֵׁרָה

**see now also GFM^{EB ASHERAH} Dr^{Deut 16:21} Allen^{DB ASHERAH}, all doubtful as to Canaanite goddess Asherah; question left open by Zim^{KAT 3. 436 ff.} (on Semitic goddess Aširtu-Ašratu Id.^{ib, 432 ff.}); but see Jerem^{AT 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 Mesopotamia, stone shaft with veiled head as top, supposed to identify post with goddess; if 2Kgs 23:7 refers to draped Asherim [see on text Benz Bur], this even more plausible), Id.^{ib. 23, 208 f. 236}. On pictorial representations of Asherah-symbol see WHWard^{AJSL xix.l (Oct.1902)}. — usually with the article: probably
  a. a Canaanitish goddess of fortune & happiness; having prophets 1Kgs 18:19, an image 1Kgs 15:13 = 2Chr 15:16; 2Kgs 21:7, sacred vessels 2Kgs 23:4, houses v2Kgs 23:7.
  b. a symbol of this goddess, a sacred tree or pole set up near an altar 1Kgs 16:33; 2Kgs 13:6; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 18:4; 2Kgs 21:3; 2Kgs 23:6; 2Kgs 23:15 prohibited Deut 16:1 burnt by Gideon Judg 6:25; Judg 6:26; Judg 6:28; Judg 6:30. Plural אֲשֵׁרוֺת
  a. the goddess Judg 3:7 (probably error for עַשְׁתָּרֹת ᵑ9).
  b. sacred trees or poles 2Chr 19:3; 2Chr 33:3 elsewhere אֲשֵׁרִים id. Isa 27:9 + 12 t.; suffix Mic 5:14 + 5 t.; — Exod 34:13 (J) Deut 7:5; Deut 12:3; Isa 17:8; Isa 27:9; Jer 17:20; Mic 5:13; 1Kgs 14:15; 1Kgs 14:23; 2Kgs 17:10; 2Kgs 23:14; 2Chr 14:2; 2Chr 17:6; 2Chr 24:18; 2Chr 31:1; 2Chr 33:19; 2Chr 34:3; 2Chr 34:4; 2Chr 34:7. — (compare also Sta^{ZAW 1881, 344 f.} RS^{Semitic i. 171 f., 175 n.} We^{H 235}, who think ׳א only the sacred pole.)