The Cult of Asherah in Ancient Israel and Judah
Evidence for a Hebrew Goddess

An investigation into the evidence for the worhip of Asherah in pre-exilic Israel and Judah.

Judith M. Hadley (Author)

9780521662352, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 June 2000

284 pages
23.6 x 15.8 x 2.3 cm, 0.575 kg

'An excellent work, the best of the half-dozen works on Asherah available in English.' Expository Times

Recent archaeological discoveries have encouraged scholars to reinvestigate the Israelite religion. In this book, Judith Hadley uses these discoveries, alongside biblical material and non-biblical inscriptions, to examine the evidence for the worship of Asherah as the partner of God in the Bible. By investigating the Khirbet al-Qom and Kuntillet 'Ajrud inscriptions, for example, where the phrase 'Yahweh and his Asherah' is frequently in evidence, the author asks what the ancient Israelites meant by this, how they construed the relationship between Yahweh and Asherah, and whether in fact the term actually referred to an object of worship rather than to a goddess. The author also evaluates more recent scholarship to substantiate her conclusions. This is a detailed and brilliant study which promises to make a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about the exact nature of Asherah and her significance in pre-exilic Israel and Judah.

Introduction
1. An introduction to Asherah
2. The Goddess Athirat
3. Asherah in the Bible
4. Inscription no 3 from Khirbet el-Qom
5. The finds from Kuntillet 'Ajrud
6. Other related finds
7. Female figurines
8. Summary of conclusions.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]