patrial from עַשְׁתָּרוֹת; an Ashterathite or inhabitant of Ashtaroth; Ashterathite.
Transliteration:ʻAshtᵉrâthîy
Pronunciation:ash-ter-aw-thee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term עַשְׁתְּרָתִי (ʻAshtᵉrâthîy, `{{H6254}}`) is a patrial adjective, signifying an inhabitant or one originating from the city of Ashtaroth (עַשְׁתָּרוֹת, `{{H6255}}`). The suffix -î denotes belonging or origin, a common grammatical feature in Hebrew for forming gentile nouns or adjectives. Thus, an ʻAshtᵉrâthîy is literally an "Ashterathite." The city name Ashtaroth itself is deeply rooted in the worship of the Canaanite goddess Ashtoreth (עַשְׁתֹּרֶת, `{{H6256}}`), indicating that Ashtaroth was likely a significant cultic center for this deity. Therefore, the core meaning of ʻAshtᵉrâthîy is a geographical and, by extension, cultural identifier, specifically linking an individual to this prominent city in Bashan.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻAshtᵉrâthîy appears exclusively in the Pentateuch and the book of Joshua, always in direct reference to Og, the Amorite king of Bashan.
1. **[[Deuteronomy 1:4]]**: This verse sets the stage for Moses' recounting of Israel's journey, stating that Og, king of Bashan, "lived at Ashtaroth." The defeat of Og is presented as a foundational event demonstrating Yahweh's power.
2. **[[Joshua 12:4]]**: In the list of kings defeated by Moses on the east side of the Jordan, Og, king of Bashan, is again identified as one "who lived in Ashtaroth." This reiterates his primary residence and seat of power.
3. **[[Joshua 13:12]]**: As part of the description of the territory allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh, the text includes "all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth." This verse solidifies Ashtaroth's status as Og's capital and a key part of the conquered territory.
In each instance, ʻAshtᵉrâthîy functions as an epithet for King Og, precisely locating his dominion. The consistent use emphasizes the significance of Ashtaroth as the capital of a powerful, pre-Israelite kingdom, whose defeat was a pivotal moment in Israel's conquest of the land.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of ʻAshtᵉrâthîy is enriched by its close relationship to several other key terms:
* **עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (Ashtaroth, `{{H6255}}`):** The city itself, the geographical anchor for the patrial term. Ashtaroth was one of the two royal cities of Og.
* **עַשְׁתֹּרֶת (Ashtoreth, `{{H6256}}`):** The Canaanite goddess whose worship was pervasive in the region. The city name Ashtaroth is derived from this deity, implying a strong cultic connection. This link suggests that the ʻAshtᵉrâthîy (Og) was not merely a king, but also a ruler over a center of pagan worship.
* **עוֹג (Og, `{{H5747}}`):** The specific king identified as the ʻAshtᵉrâthîy. Og's immense stature and the strength of his kingdom made his defeat a particularly significant demonstration of divine power.
* **בָּשָׁן (Bashan, `{{H1316}}`):** The fertile and strategically important region east of the Jordan, where Ashtaroth was located. The conquest of Bashan and Og's kingdom was a major victory for Israel.
* **אֱמֹרִי (Amorite, `{{H567}}`):** The broader ethnic group to which Og belonged, representing the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan targeted for divine judgment and displacement.
### Theological Significance
The identification of Og as the ʻAshtᵉrâthîy carries profound theological weight within the biblical narrative:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Conquest:** The defeat of Og, the ʻAshtᵉrâthîy, is presented as a clear demonstration of Yahweh's power over formidable earthly kings and their strongholds. It underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to give the land to Israel, even against seemingly insurmountable odds ([[Deuteronomy 1:4]]).
2. **Triumph Over Idolatry:** Given the strong association of Ashtaroth with the goddess Ashtoreth, the conquest of this city and its king signifies a victory not only over a political entity but also over a center of pagan worship. Yahweh's triumph over the ʻAshtᵉrâthîy implicitly asserts His supremacy over the false gods of Canaan. This serves as a theological statement about the exclusive sovereignty of the God of Israel.
3. **Fulfillment of the Land Promise:** The taking of Og's kingdom, including Ashtaroth, was a crucial step in Israel's inheritance of the Promised Land. It prefigures the broader pattern of conquest and settlement, establishing a precedent for God's active role in dispossessing the nations before Israel.
4. **Historical Marker:** The repeated mention of Og the ʻAshtᵉrâthîy serves as a historical marker, rooting the narrative in specific geographical and political realities, thereby affirming the historicity of God's redemptive acts.
### Summary
The term ʻAshtᵉrâthîy (`{{H6254}}`) precisely identifies an "inhabitant of Ashtaroth," the capital city of Og, king of Bashan. Its consistent use in the biblical text exclusively refers to King Og, highlighting his domain and the significance of his defeat. The theological implications are substantial: the conquest of the ʻAshtᵉrâthîy represents a powerful demonstration of Yahweh's sovereignty over earthly rulers and pagan cults, a crucial step in the fulfillment of God's land promise to Israel, and a historical testament to divine intervention in human affairs.
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