King James Bible Dictionary

1. 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.

2. 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.

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" (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).

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 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.

GROVE, noun

1. In gardening, a small wood or cluster of trees with a shaded avenue, or a wood impervious to the rays of the sun. A grove is either open or close; open, when consisting of large trees whose branches shade the ground below; close, when consisting of trees and underwood, which defend the avenues from the rays of the sun and from violent winds.

2. A wood of small extent. In America, the word is applied to a wood of natural growth in the field, as well as to planted trees in a garden, but only to a wood of small extent and not to a forest.

3. Something resembling a wood or trees in a wood.

Tall groves of masts arose in beauteous pride.

GROV'EL, verb intransitive grov'l.

1. To creep on the earth, or with the face to the ground; to lie prone, or move with the body prostrate on the earth; to act in a prostrate posture.

Gaze on and grovel on thy face.

To creep and grovel on the ground.

2. To be low or mean; a groveling sense; groveling thoughts.

GROV'ELER, noun One who grovels; an abject wretch.

GROV'ELING, participle present tense Creeping; moving on the ground.

1. Mean; without dignity or elevation.

Sometimes translated Asherod, Ashera, and Asherim.

Symbols of the Phenician goddess, Ashera
Ashtoreth

Forbidden to be established
Deuteronomy 16:21; Isaiah 1:29; Isaiah 17:8; Isaiah 27:9; Micah 5:14

Worshiped by Israelites
Judges 3:7; 1 Kings 14:15; 1 Kings 14:23; 1 Kings 15:13; 1 Kings 18:19; 2 Kings 13:6; 2 Kings 17:10; 2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3-7; 2 Chronicles 24:18; Jeremiah 17:2

Destroyed by:

Gideon
Judges 6:28

Hezekiah
2 Kings 18:4

Josiah
2 Kings 23:14; 2 Chronicles 34:3-4

Asa
2 Chronicles 14:3

Jehoshaphat
2 Chronicles 17:6; 2 Chronicles 19:3
Idolatry