Dictionaries :: Grove

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Grove:

(1.) Heb. 'asherah, properly a wooden image, or a pillar representing Ashtoreth, a sensual Canaanitish goddess, probably usually set up in a grove (2Ki 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 (Exd 34:13) and Asheroth (Jdg 3:13).

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

(2.) Heb. 'eshel (Gen 21:33). In 1Sa 22:6 and 1Sa 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.

(3.) 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" (Gen 13:18; 14:13; 18:1; 12:6; Deu 11:30; Jos 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 (Jer 17:3; Eze 20:28).

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Grove:

grov:

(1) ‘asherah.

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

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Grove:

(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. SEE [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 1 Samuel 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 12:6-7; 11:30). Authorized Version "plain." The groves were generally found connected with temples, and often had the right of affording an asylum.