Groves
GROVES
Were very early used for religious worship, Gen 21:33 . “The groves were God’s first temples,” and seem naturally fitted for such purposes. Groves were also resorted to by heathen idolaters. Some elevated spot was generally chosen for this purpose. “They sacrifice upon the tops of mountains, and burn incense upon the hills; under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow hereof is good,” Hos 4:13 . It should be noticed, however, that the Hebrew word Asherah, which occurs in many passages, and is rendered grove in the English version, rather signifies an image of Astarte, 1Ki 18:19 2Ki 13:6 ; etc. See ASHTORETH, plural ASH’TAROTH. The “high places” spoken of in Scripture were used first, for the worship of Jehovah, 1Ki 3:3,4 ; etc. This was, strictly speaking, and irregularity, since, according to the Law of Moses, every sacrifice was required to be brought to the altar of the sanctuary, Lev 17:8,9 Deu 11:13,16 . The “high places” were also used, secondly, for the worship of idols, 2Ki 23:15, etc.
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Groves
Sometimes translated Asherod, Ashera, and Asherim.
Symbols of the Phenician goddess, Ashera
Ashtoreth
Forbidden to be established
Deu 16:21; Isa 1:29; Isa 17:8; Isa 27:9; Mic 5:14
Worshiped by Israelites
Jdg 3:7; 1Ki 14:15; 1Ki 14:23; 1Ki 15:13; 1Ki 18:19; 2Ki 13:6; 2Ki 17:10; 2Ki 17:16; 2Ki 21:3-7; 2Ch 24:18; Jer 17:2
Destroyed by:
– Gideon
Jdg 6:28
– Hezekiah
2Ki 18:4
– Josiah
2Ki 23:14; 2Ch 34:3-4
– Asa
2Ch 14:3
– Jehoshaphat
2Ch 17:6; 2Ch 19:3 Idolatry