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Yes, according to some ancient people and some modern scholars, like Dan McClellan, but no, according to the OT.
Asherah was a major goddess in the ancient Near East, widely worshipped by various Semitic peoples, including the Canaanites. She was often associated with fertility, motherhood, and wisdom. In Canaanite mythology, Asherah was the consort (wife) of the chief god El and the mother of the gods (including Baal).
Before the Babylonia exile, Israelites often worshipped idols. Jdg 10:
The OT condemned the worship of Asherah, often in connection with Yahweh. Gideon was commanded to destroy Baal's altar. He cut down the Asherah pole beside it (Jdg 6:25). King Josiah removed Asherah poles and other symbols of pagan worship from the Temple in Jerusalem (2K 23:4-7). Asherah was worshipped alongside Yahweh, but biblical writers condemned this practice as idolatrous.
There is biblical and extra-biblical evidence that Asherah was worshipped alongside Yahweh in some pre-exiled Israelite contexts. However, she was never universally or officially regarded as Yahweh's "wife" in the OT. The association of Asherah with Yahweh was a syncretistic phenomenon that was consistently rejected.
Was Asherah the wife of Yahweh?
No, not officially according to the OT writers. It was a rebellious cultic practice. The last mention of 'Asherah' was by Micah just before the exile in Mic 5:
Asherah was a major goddess in the ancient Near East, widely worshipped by various Semitic peoples, including the Canaanites. She was often associated with fertility, motherhood, and wisdom. In Canaanite mythology, Asherah was the consort (wife) of the chief god El and the mother of the gods (including Baal).
Before the Babylonia exile, Israelites often worshipped idols. Jdg 10:
The Bible often mentions the erection of "Asherah poles" (or "Asherim"), which were wooden symbols associated with the goddess Asherah. Jezebel promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah (1K 18:19). Archaeological findings, such as inscriptions and figurines, suggest that certain Israelites venerated Asherah in some form during the early periods of Israel's history. The Kuntillet Ajrud Inscription (8th century BCE) referred to "Yahweh of Samaria and his Asherah." The Khirsan Inscription similarly mentioned "Yahweh and his Asherah." These inscriptions suggest that some Israelites viewed Asherah as closely connected to Yahweh, possibly as a consort or divine partner. Archaeologists have found numerous clay figurines of female deities, often interpreted as representations of Asherah, in Israelite households. These objects may indicate domestic worship of Asherah alongside Yahweh.
The OT condemned the worship of Asherah, often in connection with Yahweh. Gideon was commanded to destroy Baal's altar. He cut down the Asherah pole beside it (Jdg 6:25). King Josiah removed Asherah poles and other symbols of pagan worship from the Temple in Jerusalem (2K 23:4-7). Asherah was worshipped alongside Yahweh, but biblical writers condemned this practice as idolatrous.
There is biblical and extra-biblical evidence that Asherah was worshipped alongside Yahweh in some pre-exiled Israelite contexts. However, she was never universally or officially regarded as Yahweh's "wife" in the OT. The association of Asherah with Yahweh was a syncretistic phenomenon that was consistently rejected.
Was Asherah the wife of Yahweh?
No, not officially according to the OT writers. It was a rebellious cultic practice. The last mention of 'Asherah' was by Micah just before the exile in Mic 5:
