The Hebrew word ʼAshîymâʼ, represented by H807, is a term of foreign origin that names Ashima, a deity of Hamath. This proper name is highly specific, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire biblical text. Its sole purpose is to identify a specific idol worshiped by a non-Israelite people.
The single biblical reference to H807 is found in a historical account detailing the idolatrous practices of the foreign peoples relocated to Samaria by the king of Assyria. In this context, Ashima is explicitly identified as a man-made god. The scripture states that "the men of Hamath made Ashima" 2 Kings 17:30, positioning this deity alongside other idols like Nergal and Succothbenoth, which were fashioned by other groups.
The verse in which H807 appears connects it to other significant Hebrew words:
- H582 ʼĕnôwsh: This word, meaning a mortal or a man in general, is used to identify the people who created the idols 2 Kings 17:30. It emphasizes the human and finite origin of these objects of worship, contrasting with the divine. The question in scripture, "What is man H582, that thou art mindful of him?" Psalms 8:4, further highlights this distinction.
- H6213 ʻâsâh: Defined as to do or make, this primitive root describes the action of creating the idol Ashima 2 Kings 17:30. The use of this word for making an idol stands in direct contrast to its use in describing God's creative power, as when He "made H6213 the heaven and the earth" Jeremiah 32:17.
The theological weight of H807 is found in its negative example.
- Case Study in Idolatry: The mention of Ashima provides a clear, unambiguous instance of idolatry. It illustrates the violation of the command against making graven images, as the "men H582 of Hamath made H6213 Ashima" to be an object of worship 2 Kings 17:30.
- Foreign Worship: As a deity of Hamath, Ashima represents the encroachment of foreign pagan practices into the land of Israel. Its presence in the narrative highlights the spiritual corruption that resulted from the mixing of peoples and their religions.
- Human vs. Divine Creation: The act of men "making" H6213 their own god, Ashima, underscores the folly of idolatry. It contrasts the limited power of mortals with the omnipotence of the Lord, who is the uncreated Creator of all things Jeremiah 32:17.
In summary, H807 ʼAshîymâʼ is not a complex term with layered meanings but a proper name for a foreign idol. Its importance lies in its singular, potent appearance in scripture. The mention of Ashima in 2 Kings 17:30 serves as a stark illustration of idolatry, providing a concrete example of the pagan worship that stood in direct opposition to the worship of the God of Israel. It functions as a powerful theological counterpoint, defining true worship by showing what it is not.
TRV