What is…
Ashtaroth
also known as: Ashteroth, Aštartu, Astartu, Tell Ashtara, Tell Ashterah and Tell Ashareh
This is an ancient city of Bashan, in the kingdom of Og, mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:4; Joshua 12:4; 3:12; 9:10.
It was in the half-tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:12), and as a Levitical city was given to the Gershonite (1 Chronicles 6:71). Uzzia, one of David’s valiant men (1 Chronicles 11:44), is named as of this city.
It is noted on ancient monuments of 1700-1500 BC, and on ancient tablets.
The name Beesh-terah (Beeshterah) (Joshua 21:27) is a contraction for Beth-eshterah, i.e., “the house of Ashtaroth.”
It is identified with Tell Ashtara (Tell Ashareh, Tell Ashterah), south of Damascus, Syria, in the Hauran.
Location Tell Ashtara, probable location of Biblical Ashtaroth—satellite view
Q & A
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Article Version: May 7, 2025