אֲשֵׁרָה, אֲשֵׁירָה 2 Kings 17:16 proper name, feminine Ashera (Assyrian proper name, feminine Aš-ra-tu, with sign for deity, in Canaanitish proper name Abad-Ašratum, servant of A. Schr^{ZA 1888, 363}, compare Wkl & Abel^{Thontafelfund} see El Amarna ii. No. 77, 1. 9, & Sayce^{RP2. ii. 67, iii. 71}; on derivatives compare Assyrian aširat, adjective feminine gracious, COT^Gloss): **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 2 Kings 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#NAME?^{AJSL xix.l (Oct.1902)}. — usually with the article: probably

a. a Canaanitish goddess of fortune & happiness; having prophets 1 Kings 18:19, an image 1 Kings 15:13 2Chronicles 15:16; 2 Kings 21:7, sacred vessels 2 Kings 23:4, houses 2 Kings 23:7.

b. a symbol of this goddess, a sacred tree or pole set up near an altar 1 Kings 16:33; 2 Kings 13:6; 2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 21:3; 2 Kings 23:6,15; prohibited Deuteronomy 16:1; burnt by Gideon Judges 6:25,26,28,30. Plural אֲשֵׁרוֺת a. the goddess Judges 3:7 (probably error for עַשְׁתָּרֹת ᵑ9). b. sacred trees or poles2Chronicles 19:3; 33:3; elsewhere אֲשֵׁרִים id. Isaiah 27:9 12t.; suffix Micah 5:14 5t.; — Exodus 34:13 (J) Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3; Isaiah 17:8; Isaiah 27:9; Jeremiah 17:20; Micah 5:13; 1 Kings 14:15,23; 2 Kings 17:10; 2 Kings 23:14; 2Chron 14:2; 2 Chronicles 17:6; 24:18; 31:1; 33:19; 34:3,4,7. — (compare also Sta^{ZAW 1881, 344 f.} RS^{Semitic i. 171 f., 175 n.} We^{H 235}, who think ׳א only the sacred pole.)