Rachel Evans
The sacred pillar mentioned in Deuteronomy is part of the Deuteronomic Code, which prohibits the planting of any tree as an Asherah pole, or sacred pillar, beside the altar of the Lord God. This is because the Israelites had begun to adopt other nations' practices for worshipping false gods, burning incense at sacred pillars to the gods of Canaan. God had previously delivered the Israelites from these nations and instructed them not to worship their gods, instead commanding them to be holy and set apart. The sacred pillars built by the Israelites were thus a rejection of God's design and a pursuit of other expressions of spirituality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Part of Israel's adoption of other nations' practices | Worshipping false gods |
| Built by the Israelites | |
| Worshipped by burning incense | |
| Locations | Various nations of Canaan |
| Prohibited by the Deuteronomic Code | |
| Command | "You shall not plant any tree as an Asherah beside the altar of the Lord your God" |
| Command | "You must never set up a wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build for the Lord your God. And never set up sacred pillars for worship, for the Lord your God hates them" |
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What You'll Learn
- The sacred pillar was part of Israel's adoption of other nations' practices for worshipping false gods
- God instructed the Israelites not to worship these false gods
- The sacred pillar was associated with the worship of pagan goddesses like Ashtereth, Ishtar, Aphrodite, and Venus
- Hezekiah broke down the sacred pillars because people were burning incense and calling it Nehushtan
- The Israelites' construction of sacred pillars serves as a cautionary tale for people today
The sacred pillar was part of Israel's adoption of other nations' practices for worshipping false gods
The sacred pillar was a structure built by the Israelites, who, instead of worshipping in the temple in Jerusalem where God would interact with them, adopted the practices of other nations in worshipping their false gods. This is evident in 2 Kings 17:11, where it is written that the people of Israel would burn incense at these sacred pillars to the gods of the various nations of Canaan.
Centuries earlier, God had delivered the people of Israel from those very nations that lived in the land of Canaan and had given the land to Israel. God had instructed them not to worship the gods that those peoples had worshiped. Deuteronomy 16:21-22 states:
> "You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree or wood beside the altar of the Lord your God, which you shall make. You shall not set up for yourself a sacred pillar, which the Lord your God hates."
Here, the Deuteronomic Code prohibits the planting of an Asherah pole, a sacred tree or pole, beside the altar of the Lord. Asherah was the consort of the moon god 'Amm, worshipped in ancient Qataban, a kingdom in ancient Yemen.
Despite God's clear instructions, the Israelites continued to pursue other expressions of spirituality on their own terms. This ultimately led to rebellion, and the people had to pay the price for their actions, as seen in 2 Kings 17:13, where it is written that God was patient with the people, showing them mercy even though they continually rejected Him.
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God instructed the Israelites not to worship these false gods
The sacred pillars were a part of Israel's adoption of other nations' practices for worshipping their false gods. The Israelites burned incense at these locations to the gods of the various nations of Canaan. God had explicitly instructed the Israelites not to worship the gods of these nations, as he had delivered them from those very nations and given them the land. Instead, he commanded them to be holy and set apart, showing the world who the one true God was.
Part of God's clear instructions to the Israelites was a prohibition on setting up sacred pillars to false gods: "You must never set up a wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build for the Lord your God. And never set up sacred pillars for worship, for the Lord your God hates them" (Deuteronomy 16:21-22, NLT). The Asherah pole was a sacred tree or pole mentioned many times in the Hebrew Bible and prohibited by the Deuteronomic Code.
The Israelites' rejection of God's design and pursuit of other forms of spirituality on their own terms led to severe consequences. God's patience and mercy towards them, despite their continual rejection of Him, demonstrate His incredible level of grace. Ultimately, however, they had to pay the price for their rebellion. This serves as a cautionary tale for people today, reminding us that God is paying attention to the "sacred pillars" we may construct in our own lives.
The sacred pillars were not just physical structures but represented the Israelites' spiritual rebellion and idolatry. By building these pillars, they were effectively dictating to God how they would worship Him, rather than submitting to His sovereign design. As a result, God instructed them to destroy these pillars and any objects of worship that were not in accordance with His commands.
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The sacred pillar was associated with the worship of pagan goddesses like Ashtereth, Ishtar, Aphrodite, and Venus
The sacred pillar was strongly associated with the worship of pagan goddesses such as Ashtereth, Ishtar, Aphrodite, and Venus. These deities were revered in various ancient cultures, and their worship often involved rituals and symbols that held significant importance for their followers.
Ashtereth, also known as Ashtoreth in Hebrew, was worshipped by the Sidonians and referred to as the "queen of heaven." She was associated with fertility and held a prominent position in the pantheon of pagan gods. The sacred pillar, mentioned in the Bible, was often associated with the worship of Ashtereth, and breaking these pillars was seen as an act of rejecting pagan practices.
Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess, was particularly revered in Sumerian and Akkadian traditions. She was primarily known as a fertility figure, but her character evolved into a more complex deity associated with contradictory forces such as fire and fire-quenching, rejoicing and tears. Ishtar was also linked to the planet Venus, further emphasizing her astral nature.
Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, was closely connected to Ishtar, especially in Cyprus, where the two goddesses were often identified as the same entity. Aphrodite was a goddess of love and beauty, and her worship was widespread in ancient Greece. The identification of Aphrodite with Ishtar demonstrates the cultural exchange and syncretism that occurred between different ancient civilizations.
Venus, the Roman goddess, was also associated with the sacred pillar. In Roman mythology, Venus held a significant position as the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Her association with Ishtar and other similar goddesses highlights the shared cultural and religious threads that connected various ancient societies.
The sacred pillar, as mentioned in Deuteronomy, served as a reminder of the presence of these pagan worship practices. The Bible instructs followers to destroy the sacred pillars and groves dedicated to these goddesses, emphasizing the importance of monotheistic devotion and the rejection of idolatry.
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Hezekiah broke down the sacred pillars because people were burning incense and calling it Nehushtan
Sacred pillars are mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 34:13: "But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images." Deuteronomy 16:21 also references these pillars: "Thou shalt not plant a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make." Sacred pillars were devoted to the worship of pagan goddesses such as Ashtereth, the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, the Greek goddess Aphrodite, and the Roman goddess Venus.
Hezekiah, who is described in 2 Kings 18:4 as having "done right in the sight of the Lord", destroyed the sacred pillars because the people were burning incense to a bronze snake made by Moses and calling it Nehushtan. Hezekiah's destruction of the pillars was an attempt to remove the places where pagan gods were worshipped and to end the practice of venerating objects. He also cut down the Asherah idols and destroyed the bronze serpent, which had been venerated as Nehushtan. This serpent had been made by Moses and was destroyed by Hezekiah because it was being worshipped and offered sacrifices to.
The name Nehushtan means "brazen" or "made of brass", and it is believed that this name was given to the serpent because it was made of bronze. The Israelites had been burning incense to the serpent and making offerings to it, which was considered a pagan practice. Hezekiah's actions were in line with the commands given in Exodus 34:13 to destroy sacred pillars and cut down groves that were used for pagan worship. By breaking down the sacred pillars and destroying the bronze serpent, Hezekiah was attempting to purify the religious practices of the Israelites and bring them back in line with the worship of the Lord.
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The Israelites' construction of sacred pillars serves as a cautionary tale for people today
The construction of sacred pillars by the Israelites serves as a cautionary tale for people today. The Israelites were instructed by God to worship him and him alone, and to refrain from adopting the practices of other nations and their false gods. However, the Israelites built sacred pillars as part of their adoption of other nations' practices, burning incense at these locations to the gods of Canaan (2 Kings 17:11).
The sacred pillars were often trees or wooden poles dedicated to pagan goddesses such as Ashtereth, the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, the Greek goddess Aphrodite, and the Roman goddess Venus. Ashtereth was also referred to as the "queen of heaven" (Jeremiah 7:18). The construction and veneration of these pillars were expressly prohibited by God in Deuteronomy: "You shall not plant a grove of any trees near the altar of the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 16:21).
The Israelites' actions serve as a warning against dictating to God how we will worship Him or assuming that our methods of worship are acceptable. God is the sovereign Creator and has determined how we should worship Him. By pursuing other expressions of spirituality, the Israelites had to learn the hard way that their rebellion would come at a cost. God's patience and mercy towards them, despite their continual rejection of Him, is a reminder that He pays attention to the "sacred pillars" we construct in our spiritual lives today.
As illustrated in 2 Kings 18:4, King Hezekiah destroyed the sacred pillars because the people had started burning incense and calling it Nehushtan. Even the bronze serpent of Moses, a symbol of God's power and protection, had to be destroyed because it was being venerated as an idol. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining a pure and undivided devotion to God, free from syncretism or the adoption of idolatrous practices.
In conclusion, the Israelites' construction of sacred pillars is a reminder that we should not dictate our terms of worship to God but instead follow His instructions. Their story serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to learn from their mistakes and maintain a holy and set-apart relationship with the true God.
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Frequently asked questions
Sacred pillars were built by the Israelites as part of their adoption of other nations' practices for worshipping their false gods.
The Israelites burned incense at these locations to the gods of the various nations of Canaan.
God instructed the Israelites not to worship the gods of other nations. He told them not to set up sacred pillars to false gods.
