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groves in the Bible

Three different Hebrew words may be translated as as “grove.”

In the earliest times groves are mentioned in connection with religious worship. The heathen consecrated groves to particular false gods, and for this reason they were forbidden to the Israelites (Jeremiah 17:3; Ezek. 20:28).

  1. Eshel

    Hebrew: 'eshel (Genesis 21:33). In 1 Samuel 22:6 KJV and 1 Sam. 31:13 KJV, the King James Version renders this word by “tree.” In all these passages the Revised King James Version renders by “tamarisk tree.” It has been identified with the Tamariscus orientalis, five species of which are found in Israel.

  2. Elon

    The Hebrew word 'elon is uniformly rendered in the King James Version as “plain” (Genesis 13:18 KJV; Gen. 14:13 KJV; Gen. 18:1 KJV; Gen. 12:6 KJV; Deuteronomy 11:30 KJV).

    However the proper translation signifies a natural grove of trees or a plantation. The New American Standard Bible and the Revised King James Version translate the above verses as oaks (Genesis 13:18 NASB; Gen. 14:13 NASB; Gen. 18:1 NASB; Gen. 12:6 NASB; Deuteronomy 11:30 NASB; Joshua 19:33 NASB).

    The New King James version calls it “terebinth trees” (Genesis 13:18 NKJV; Gen. 14:13 NKJV; Gen. 18:1 NKJV; Gen. 12:6 NKJV; Deuteronomy 11:30 NKJV; Joshua 19:33 NKJV).

  3. Asherah

    Hebrew: 'asherah, usually a wooden image, or a pillar representing Asherah (Ashtoreth), a sensual Canaanite goddess, sometimes set up among trees or on a high place, or a hill with trees

    Plural: Asherim

    “They set for themselves sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree” —2 Kings 17:10 NASB

    In the Revised King James Version the word “Asherah” is introduced as a proper noun, the name of the wooden symbol of a goddess, with the plural Asherim.

    …you are to tear down their altars and shatter their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim —Exodus 34:13 excerpt

    He also removed Maacah, the mother of King Asa, from being queen mother, because she had made a horrid image as an Asherah; and Asa cut down her horrid image, crushed it and burned it at the brook Kidron. —2 Chronicles 15:16

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Article Version: March 25, 2026