The Cult of Asherah
in Ancient Israel and Judah
Evidence for a Hebrew Goddess
Judith M. Hadley
268 Pages, ISBN 0 521 66235 4
Published by Cambridge University Press 2000
transfered to digital printing 2003
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 iconography of Asherah is also discussed, alongside
female figurines form the Bronze and Iron Ages thought to represent her. As well
as exploring the etymology and origins of Asherah, the author 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.
(The text above comes from the back of the book)
