Exodus 34:13 - Exposition

Ye shall destroy their altars , etc. This command is more sweeping than the corresponding one in the "Book of the Covenant" ( Exodus 23:24 ), which expressly mentions only the "images." Here the destruction of idol-altars and idol-groves is further commanded. On idol-altars, see Numbers 23:1 , Numbers 23:29 ; 2:2 ; 1 Kings 16:32 ; 1 Kings 18:26 , etc. Groves are here for the first time mentioned. They appear to have been artificial constructions, either of wood or metal, or both, more or less imitative of trees, and regarded as emblems of the Oriental nature-deities, especially Baal and Astarte or Ashtoreth. The word translated "grove" ( asherah ) is a modification of the name Ashtoreth. The well-known "sacred tree" of the Assyrians is probably an asherah .