Definition

Proper noun 1. An ancient Phoenician goddess: Ashtoreth was a major deity in the Phoenician religion, primarily worshipped as a goddess of love, fertility, war, and sexuality. She is often considered the Phoenician counterpart to other Near Eastern goddesses like Ishtar (Mesopotamian) and Astarte (Greek).

Usage Notes

• "Ashtoreth" is a proper noun, the name of a specific deity. It is always capitalized.
• The term is used primarily in historical, archaeological, and religious studies contexts when discussing ancient Canaanite and Phoenician mythology and religion.
• In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), the name often appears in a negative context, associated with idolatry and foreign worship that the Israelites were forbidden to follow.

Examples

• The ancient city of Sidon was a major center for the worship of Ashtoreth.
• Archaeological findings include numerous figurines believed to represent the fertility goddess Ashtoreth.
• Biblical texts frequently condemn the worship of Ashtoreth and other Canaanite gods.

Advanced Usage

• The plural form "Ashtaroth": In the Hebrew Bible, the plural form "Ashtaroth" (עַשְׁתָּרוֹת) is sometimes used. This can refer to multiple idols or images of the goddess, or it can function as an intensive plural to denote the greatness or comprehensive power of the deity.
  • Example: "For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians..." (1 Kings 11:5). "And the children of Israel... served Baal and Ashtaroth" (Judges 2:13).

Variants and Related Words

• Astarte: This is the Greek form of the goddess's name, more commonly used in classical sources and later scholarly writings.
• Ishtar: The Mesopotamian (Akkadian/Assyrian/Babylonian) goddess of love, war, and fertility, with whom Ashtoreth is closely associated and shares many attributes.
• Inanna: The earlier Sumerian goddess who is the precursor to Ishtar, and by extension, related to Ashtoreth.
• Queen of Heaven: A title sometimes associated with Ashtoreth/Astarte/Ishtar in ancient texts.

Synonyms

• Goddess of love and fertility (descriptive synonym)
• Fertility deity (descriptive synonym)

Related Concepts (Not direct synonyms)

• Baal: The chief male god in the Canaanite/Phoenician pantheon, often paired with Ashtoreth.
• Idolatry: The worship of idols, a practice with which the worship of Ashtoreth was associated in biblical texts.
• Canaanite religion: The broader religious system to which the worship of Ashtoreth belonged.

Noun

1. an ancient Phoenician goddess of love and fertility; the Phoenician counterpart to Ishtar