What is…
Ashtaroth
also known as: Ashteroth, Aštartu, Astartu, Tell Ashtara, Tell Ashterah and Tell Ashareh
This is an ancient city of Bashan, in the kingdom of Og, mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:4; Joshua 12:4; 13:12; 9:10.
It was in the half-tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:12), and as a Levitical city was given to the Gershonite (1 Chronicles 6:71). Uzzia, one of David’s valiant men (1 Chronicles 11:44), is named as of this city.
It is noted on ancient monuments of B.C. 1700-1500, and on ancient tablets.
The name Beesh-terah (Beeshterah) (Joshua 21:27) is a contraction for Beth-eshterah, i.e., “the house of Ashtaroth.”
It is identified with Tell Ashtara (Tell Ashareh, Tell Ashterah), south of Damascus, Syria, in the Hauran.
Location Tell Ashtara, probable location of Biblical Ashtaroth—satellite view
More information
- Who and what is Og?
- Who is Ashtaroth (Ashtoreth)?
- Asherah
- Ishtar
- Grove
- Mount of corruption
- Ashteroth Karnaim
- About idolatry and false gods in the Bible
- About idols in the Bible
- Persecution
Article Version: July 13, 2021