Grove

Grove [S]

Heb. 'asherah, properly a wooden image, or a pillar representing Ashtoreth, a sensual Canaanitish goddess, probably usually set up in a grove ( 2 Kings 21:7 ; 23:4 ). In the Revised Version the word "Asherah" (q.v.) is introduced as a proper noun, the name of the wooden symbol of a goddess, with the plurals Asherim ( Exodus 34:13 ) and Asheroth ( Judges 3:13 ).

The LXX. have rendered asherah in 2 Chronicles 15:16 by "Astarte." The Vulgate has done this also in Judges 3:7 .

Heb. 'eshel ( Genesis 21:33 ). In 1 Samuel 22:6 and 31:13 the Authorized Version renders this word by "tree." In all these passages the Revised Version renders by "tamarisk tree." It has been identified with the Tamariscus orientalis, five species of which are found in Palestine.

The Heb. word 'elon, uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "plain," properly signifies a grove or plantation. In the Revised Version it is rendered, pl., "oaks" ( Genesis 13:18 ; 14:13 ; 18:1 ; 12:6 ; Deuteronomy 11:30 ; Joshua 19:33 ). In the earliest times groves are mentioned in connection with religious worship. The heathen consecrated groves to particular gods, and for this reason they were forbidden to the Jews ( Jeremiah 17:3 ; Ezekiel 20:28 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

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[S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary

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Bibliography Information

Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Grove". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

Grove. [E]

1. A word used in the Authorized Version, with two exceptions, to translate the mysterious Hebrew term Asherah , which is not a grove, but probably an idol or image of some kind. [ASHERAH] It is also probable that there was a connection between this symbol or image, whatever it was, and the sacred symbolic tree, the representation of which occurs so frequently on Assyrian sculptures.
2. The two exceptions noticed above are ( Genesis 21:33 ) and 1Sam 22:6 (margin). In the religions of the ancient heathen world groves play a prominent part. In the old times altars only were erected to the gods. It was thought wrong to shut up the gods within walls, and hence trees were the first temples; and from the earliest times groves are mentioned in connection with religious worship. ( Genesis 12:6 Genesis 12:7 ; Deuteronomy 1:1 11:30 ) Authorized Version "plain." the groves were generally found connected with temples, and often had the right of affording an asylum.

[E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary

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Bibliography Information

Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Grove'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.

GROVE

grov:

(1) 'asherah.

See ASHERAH.

(2) 'eshel (Genesis 21:33 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "a tamarisk tree").

See TAMARISK.

Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'GROVE'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.