Ancient Israelite Religion
The Bible makes it clear that the official state religion of Israel was the sole worship of the God Yahweh, centered at the Jerusalem Temple. Archaeological remains, however, demonstrate that popular Israelite religion was in fact quite diverse. In these articles, hand-selected by the Biblical Archaeology Society editors especially for members of the BAS Library, you’ll learn that some Israelites believed Yahweh had a wife, Asherah, while many sought the aid of Yahweh through idolatrous figurines, cult stands and standing stones.
A Temple Built for Two
BAR, Mar/Apr 2008
by William G. Dever
Pagan Yahwism: The Folk Religion of Ancient Israel
BAR, May/June 2001
by Ephraim Stern
Sacred Stones in the Desert
BAR, May/June 2001
by Uzi Avner
Was Yahweh Worshiped as the Sun?
BAR, May/June 1994
by J. Glen Taylor
Frank Moore Cross—An Interview, Part II: The Development of Israelite Religion
Bible Review, Oct 1992
Did Yahweh Have a Consort?
BAR, Mar/Apr 1979
by Ze’ev Meshel
Did God Have a Wife?
BAR, Sep/Oct 2006
by Shmuel Ahituv
Understanding Asherah—Exploring Semitic Iconography
BAR, Sep/Oct 1991
by Ruth Hestrin
Who or What Was Yahweh’s Asherah?
BAR, Nov/Dec 1984
by André Lemaire