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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Asherim</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/a/asherim.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/exodus/34-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/a/asherim.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Asherim</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/a/ashe'rahs.htm" title="Ashe'rahs">◄</a> Asherim <a href="/topical/a/ashe'rim.htm" title="Ashe'rim">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "Asherim" refers to sacred objects or symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah. In the Old Testament, Asherim are often mentioned in the context of idolatry and the Israelites' repeated lapses into pagan worship practices. The Asherim were typically wooden poles or trees set up near altars or high places, serving as cultic symbols of fertility and nature worship.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b><br><br>The Asherim are frequently condemned in the Hebrew Scriptures as objects of false worship that led the Israelites away from the exclusive worship of Yahweh. In the Book of Exodus, God commands the Israelites to destroy the Asherim: "Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles" (<a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a>). This directive underscores the importance of maintaining purity in worship and avoiding syncretism with Canaanite religious practices.<br><br>In the Book of Deuteronomy, the prohibition against Asherim is reiterated: "Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build for the LORD your God" (<a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21</a>). This command highlights the incompatibility of Asherah worship with the worship of Yahweh, emphasizing the need for the Israelites to remain distinct from the surrounding nations.<br><br>The presence of Asherim in Israelite society is often linked to periods of spiritual decline. For instance, during the reign of King Manasseh, the Bible records that he "set up an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done" (<a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a>). This act is part of a broader narrative of apostasy and idolatry that characterized Manasseh's reign, leading to divine judgment.<br><br>Conversely, the removal of Asherim is associated with religious reform and a return to covenant faithfulness. King Josiah, known for his religious reforms, "broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and he cut down the incense altars that stood above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images" (<a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4</a>). Josiah's actions reflect a commitment to purging the land of idolatry and restoring proper worship.<br><br><b>Theological Significance:</b><br><br>The Asherim serve as a symbol of the constant struggle between faithfulness to Yahweh and the temptation to adopt the religious practices of surrounding cultures. The biblical narrative consistently portrays the Asherim as a threat to the covenant relationship between God and His people. The repeated commands to destroy these symbols underscore the importance of exclusive devotion to Yahweh and the rejection of idolatry.<br><br>The presence of Asherim in the biblical text also highlights the broader theme of spiritual warfare, where the people of God are called to resist the influences of paganism and remain steadfast in their worship of the one true God. The struggle against the Asherim is emblematic of the ongoing battle against idolatry and the call to holiness that permeates the biblical narrative.<br><br>In summary, the Asherim represent a significant aspect of the Israelites' religious history, serving as a reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the necessity of maintaining fidelity to God's commandments. The biblical injunctions against Asherim reflect a broader theological emphasis on the purity of worship and the exclusive devotion required by the covenant relationship with Yahweh.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/842.htm"><span class="l">842. Asherah -- a Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same</span></a><br><b>...</b> 841, 842. Asherah. 843 . a Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same.<br> Transliteration: Asherah Phonetic Spelling: (ash-ay-raw') Short Definition: <b>Asherim</b> <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/842.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/jehoshaphats_reform.htm"><span class="l">Jehoshaphat's Reform</span></a> <br><b>...</b> up. The 'high places and <b>Asherim</b>' had to be taken out of Judah before the<br> true worship could be established there. So it is still. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bullinger/commentary_on_revelation/philadelphia.htm"><span class="l">Philadelphia</span></a> <br><b>...</b> it out. In 2 Chronicles 31:1, Hezekiah "brake in pieces the pillars (marg.<br> obelisks), and hewed down the <b>Asherim</b>" (RV). His two <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/philadelphia.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/asas_reformation_and_consequent_peace.htm"><span class="l">Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory</span></a> <br><b>...</b> dedicated to other gods; 'high places,'"that is, where illegal sacrifice to Jehovah<br> was offered; 'pillars,'"that is, stone columns; and '<b>Asherim</b>,'"that is <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../expositions of holy scripture g/asas reformation and consequent peace.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/a_kingdoms_epitaph.htm"><span class="l">A Kingdom's Epitaph</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Images and <b>Asherim</b> deformed every hill-top and stood under every spreading tree.<br> Everywhere incense loaded the heavy air with its foul fragrance. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm</font><p><a href="/library/smith/jeremiah/footnotes.htm"><span class="l">Footnotes</span></a> <br><b>...</b> expansion. 441 Hebrew adds when their children remember their altars and<br> <b>Asherim</b> rightly taken by Duhm and Cornill as a gloss. 442 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/footnotes.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maspero/history_of_egypt_chaldaea_syria_babylonia_and_assyria_v_8/chapter_iiithe_medes_and_the.htm"><span class="l">The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire</span></a> <br>History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/a/asherim.htm"><span class="l"><b>Asherim</b> (20 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Asherim</b> (20 Occurrences). Exodus 34:13 but you<br> shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/asherim.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/ashe'rim.htm"><span class="l">Ashe'rim (19 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> <b>Asherim</b>, Ashe'rim. Asherite . <b>...</b> Exodus 34:13 But ye shall break down their altars,<br> and dash in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their <b>Asherim</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/ashe'rim.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/poles.htm"><span class="l">Poles (58 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 34:13 but you shall break down their altars, and dash<br> in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their <b>Asherim</b>; (See NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/poles.htm - 22k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/asherah.htm"><span class="l">Asherah (40 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Easton's Bible Dictionary And pl. <b>Asherim</b> in Revised Version, instead of<br> "grove" and "groves" of the Authorized Version. This was <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/asherah.htm - 24k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/altars.htm"><span class="l">Altars (55 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Exodus 34:13 but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars,<br> and you shall cut down their <b>Asherim</b>; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/altars.htm - 25k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/engraved.htm"><span class="l">Engraved (62 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 7:5 But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, and<br> dash their pillars in pieces, and cut down their <b>Asherim</b>, and burn their <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/engraved.htm - 26k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/hewed.htm"><span class="l">Hewed (22 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (KJV WBS). 2 Chronicles 14:3 for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places,<br> and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the <b>Asherim</b>, (ASV JPS RSV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/hewed.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/leafy.htm"><span class="l">Leafy (22 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Kings 14:23 For they also built them high places, and pillars, and <b>Asherim</b>,<br> on every high hill, and under every green tree; (See JPS). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/leafy.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/smashed.htm"><span class="l">Smashed (22 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (See NAS NIV). 2 Kings 23:14 He broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the <b>Asherim</b>,<br> and filled their places with the bones of men. (See NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/smashed.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/smash.htm"><span class="l">Smash (8 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Smash (8 Occurrences). Exodus 34:13 but you shall break down their altars, and dash<br> in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their <b>Asherim</b>; (See NAS NIV) <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/smash.htm - 8k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/who-Asherah.html">Who was Asherah / Ashtoreth? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Asherim (20 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a></span><br />but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>;<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a></span><br />But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, and dash their pillars in pieces, and cut down their <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>, and burn their engraved images with fire.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3</a></span><br />and you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> with fire; and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods; and you shall destroy their name out of that place.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_kings/14-15.htm">1 Kings 14:15</a></span><br />For Yahweh will strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water; and he will root up Israel out of this good land which he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have made their <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>, provoking Yahweh to anger.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></span><br />For they also built them high places, and pillars, and <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>, on every high hill, and under every green tree;<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10</a></span><br />and they set them up pillars and <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> on every high hill, and under every green tree;<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">2 Kings 23:14</a></span><br />He broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>, and filled their places with the bones of men.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3</a></span><br />for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and cut down the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>,<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">2 Chronicles 17:6</a></span><br />His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh: and furthermore he took away the high places and the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> out of Judah. <br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/24-18.htm">2 Chronicles 24:18</a></span><br />They forsook the house of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and served the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> and the idols: and wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">2 Chronicles 31:1</a></span><br />Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">2 Chronicles 33:3</a></span><br />For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the Baalim, and made Asheroth, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-19.htm">2 Chronicles 33:19</a></span><br />His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places, and set up the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> and the engraved images, before he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3</a></span><br />For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>, and the engraved images, and the molten images.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4</a></span><br />They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and the incense altars that were on high above them he cut down; and the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>, and the engraved images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">2 Chronicles 34:7</a></span><br />He broke down the altars, and beat the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands; neither shall they respect that which their fingers have made, either the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span>, or the incense altars.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Isaiah 27:9</a></span><br />Therefore, by this the iniquity of Jacob will be forgiven, and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: that he makes all the stones of the altar as chalk stones that are beaten in pieces, so that the <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> and the incense altars shall rise no more.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Jeremiah 17:2</a></span><br />while their children remember their altars and their <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> by the green trees on the high hills. <br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Micah 5:14</a></span><br />I will uproot your <span class="boldtext">Asherim</span> out of your midst; and I will destroy your cities. <br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV NAS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/a/asherim.htm">Asherim</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/asherim.htm">Asherim (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/asherite.htm">Asherite (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/a/ashe'rahs.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ashe'rahs"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ashe'rahs" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/a/ashe'rim.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ashe'rim"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ashe'rim" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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