ASHERAH Meaning and
Definition
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Asherah is a noun that refers to a prominent ancient Semitic goddess of fertility, motherhood, and divine power. In ancient Near Eastern mythology and religion, Asherah held a significant role as the consort of the supreme god El, often referred to as the "Mother of the Gods." She is depicted as a nurturing and feminine deity associated with abundance, earthly blessings, and life-giving forces.
The worship of Asherah was prevalent in the ancient civilizations of Canaan and Israel, particularly during the Iron Age, where she was honored through various rituals and sacrifices. She was venerated in sacred groves, commonly represented by wooden poles or statues placed near altars. Asherah's worship was intertwined with nature, portraying her as a celestial mother who blessed the land with fertility and ensured the continuation of life.
However, as monotheism emerged in Judaism, Asherah's prominence decreased, and she gradually became marginalized as a result of religious reforms. Many references to her were suppressed, and her existence was downplayed to uphold the monotheistic doctrine. Consequently, knowledge about Asherah largely relies on archaeological discoveries and ancient texts from neighboring cultures, such as Ugaritic literature.
In contemporary research, scholars explore Asherah as part of comparative religion studies, examining her role in ancient societies and the diverse contexts in which she was worshipped.
Common Misspellings for ASHERAH
- zsherah
- ssherah
- wsherah
- qsherah
- aaherah
- azherah
- axherah
- adherah
- aeherah
- awherah
- asgerah
- asberah
- asnerah
- asjerah
- asuerah
- asyerah
- ashwrah
- ashsrah
- ashdrah
- ashrrah
Etymology of ASHERAH
The word "Asherah" is derived from the Semitic root "ašr", meaning "to walk" or "to tread". The name has its origins in ancient Near Eastern cultures, particularly in Canaanite and Mesopotamian mythologies. Asherah is often associated with a goddess or a divine feminine presence in these traditions. The word appears in various forms across different ancient languages, such as Hebrew ('ăšērâ), Ugaritic ('ṯrt), Akkadian ('ašratu), and Aramaic ('ăšērâ), but they all share a common linguistic root.
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