Bible Dictionary
Ashtaroth
Ashtaroth was a city of Bashan in the territory of eastern Manasseh. It was assigned to the Gershonite Levites and was associated with the worship of Ashtoreth.
Definition
Ashtaroth was a city of Bashan in the kingdom of Og, within the territory of eastern Manasseh. It was assigned as a Levitical city to the Gershonites and was associated with the worship of Ashtoreth.
Biblical Usage
Ashtaroth appears in the accounts of Og’s kingdom, the allotment of eastern Manasseh, and the cities given to the Levites. Uzzia, one of David’s valiant men, is identified as an Ashterathite.
Historical Background
The city is identified with Tell Ashterah in the Hauran and is mentioned on monuments dating from about 1700–1500 BC. Beesh-terah is a contracted form of Beth-eshterah, “the house of Ashtaroth.”
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A city of Bashan, in the kingdom of Og (Deut. 1:4; Josh. 12:4; 13:12; 9:10). It was in the half-tribe of Manasseh (Josh. 13:12), and as a Levitical city was given to the Gershonites (1 Chr. 6:71). Uzzia, one of David’s valiant men (1 Chr. 11:44), is named as of this city. It is identified with Tell Ashterah, in the Hauran, and is noticed on monuments B.C. 1700-1500. The name Beesh-terah (Josh. 21:27) is a contraction for Beth-eshterah, i.e., “the house of Ashtaroth.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
and once As’taroth (a star), a city on the east of Jordan in Bashan, in the kingdom of Og, doubtless so called from being a seat of the worship of the goddess of the same name. (1:4; Joshua 9:10; 12:4; 13:12)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>Plural of Ashtoreth. See ASHTORETH.</p>