Quote by Ivy Helman

“If it wasn’t for the campaign of King Josiah, Asherah might still be a significant figure within Judaism. In the first temple, built by King Solomon, there were her ritual objects (2 Kings 23:4) and an image of her (2 Kings 23:6). In addition, women would spend time in the temple weaving for Asherah (2 Kings 23:7). She was worshipped on high places and poles were erected in her honor (2 Chronicles 14:3). In addition, throughout Canaan and the lands of Judah and Israel, where the Israelites lived, there was regular worship by the Israelites of various other deities as well: the sun, the moon, the stars, and the hosts of heaven (2 Kings 23:5). It was only with the reforms of King Josiah, who reigned from roughly 640 to 610 BCE, that the argument for monotheism came to the fore, and even he struggled to instill it resorting to violent clashes with adherents. In the end, his reforms did succeed, and it is often said that his ending of Israelite polytheism also signifies the end of the worship of Asherah and the other Israelite/Canaanite deities. While this is the case with other deities, it is not the case with Asherah. She appears in various forms with-in Judaism. Excerpt from “Asherah and the Trees” - featured Asherah: Roots of the Mother Tree.”

Quote by Ivy Helman