The Hebrew Goddess
Encyclopedia
The Hebrew Goddess is a 1967 book by Jewish historian and anthropologist Raphael Patai
. In this book, Patai argues that the Jewish religion historically had elements of polytheism
, especially the worship of goddess
es and a cult of the mother goddess
. The book supports the theory through the interpretation of archaeological and textual sources as evidence for veneration of feminine beings. Hebrew goddesses identified in the book include Asherah
, Anath, Astarte
, Ashima
, the cherub
im in Solomon's Temple
, the Matronit (Shekhina), and the personified Shabbat
Bride. The later editions of the book were expanded to include recent archaeological discoveries and the rituals of unification (Yichudim) which are to unite God with his Shekinah.
The identification of the pillar figurines with Asherah in this book was the first time they had been so identified.
A third, enlarged edition was published in 1990 by Wayne State University
Press.
Raphael Patai's first exploration of this theme was in his 1947 book Man and Temple in Ancient Jewish Myth and Ritual (New York: Nelson) and he cites textual evidence which was not repeated in his later works.
Raphael Patai
Raphael Patai , born Ervin György Patai, was a Hungarian-Jewish ethnographer, historian, Orientalist and anthropologist.-Family background:...
. In this book, Patai argues that the Jewish religion historically had elements of polytheism
Polytheism
Polytheism is the belief of multiple deities also usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own mythologies and rituals....
, especially the worship of goddess
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
es and a cult of the mother goddess
Mother goddess
Mother goddess is a term used to refer to a goddess who represents motherhood, fertility, creation or embodies the bounty of the Earth. When equated with the Earth or the natural world such goddesses are sometimes referred to as Mother Earth or as the Earth Mother.Many different goddesses have...
. The book supports the theory through the interpretation of archaeological and textual sources as evidence for veneration of feminine beings. Hebrew goddesses identified in the book include Asherah
Asherah
Asherah , in Semitic mythology, is a Semitic mother goddess, who appears in a number of ancient sources including Akkadian writings by the name of Ashratum/Ashratu and in Hittite as Asherdu or Ashertu or Aserdu or Asertu...
, Anath, Astarte
Astarte
Astarte is the Greek name of a goddess known throughout the Eastern Mediterranean from the Bronze Age to Classical times...
, Ashima
Ashima
Ashima is one of several deities protecting the individual cities of Samaria who are mentioned specifically by name in 2 Kings 17:30 in the Hebrew Bible...
, the cherub
Cherub
A cherub is a type of spiritual being mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and cited later on in the Christian biblical canons, usually associated with the presence of God...
im in Solomon's Temple
Solomon's Temple
Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was the main temple in ancient Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount , before its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar II after the Siege of Jerusalem of 587 BCE....
, the Matronit (Shekhina), and the personified Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
Bride. The later editions of the book were expanded to include recent archaeological discoveries and the rituals of unification (Yichudim) which are to unite God with his Shekinah.
The identification of the pillar figurines with Asherah in this book was the first time they had been so identified.
A third, enlarged edition was published in 1990 by Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
Press.
Raphael Patai's first exploration of this theme was in his 1947 book Man and Temple in Ancient Jewish Myth and Ritual (New York: Nelson) and he cites textual evidence which was not repeated in his later works.