עַשְׁתְּרֹת קַרְנַיִם
𐤏𐤔𐤕𐤓𐤕 𐤒𐤓𐤍𐤉𐤌
Asheterot Qarenayim
H6255 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Ashteroth-Karnaim: a compound toponym referring to an ancient city east of the Jordan River, interpreted as 'Ashtaroth of the (two) horns.' The name associates the site with the West Semitic goddess Ashtart/Ashtaroth, possibly implying a cultic center dedicated to her, and features the element 'horns,' likely referencing cultic or architectural symbolism (such as horn-like sanctuaries or high points). The primary sense is a specific locality noted in biblical texts.
Semantic Range
city associated with the goddess Ashtart, cultic center, place with twin peaks or horn-like features, location in Bashan region
Root / Etymology
Compound of עַשְׁתְּרֹת (Ashtaroth), itself derived from the root ע-שׁ-ת-ר (possibly linked to fertility, increase) and the dual of קֶרֶן ('horn'), forming קַרְנַיִם ('two horns'). The toponym indicates possession or association—'Ashtaroth of the horns.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Ashteroth-Karnaim appears in Genesis 14:5 among cities conquered by Chedorlaomer and in Joshua 12:4 as a key site in the territory of Bashan. Archaeological and textual evidence suggests the city was a center for the veneration of the goddess Ashtart, widespread in the Levant during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. The dual 'horns' may refer either to distinctive landscape features (twin hills or peaks) or to iconography typical of cultic representations of the goddess. The term is not used in reference to ethnic or religious groups, but solely as a place name. English translations sometimes collapse or transliterate the toponym, sometimes failing to signal its connection with West Semitic goddess cults. In later Greek translation traditions, the site's name is sometimes rendered with associations to horns or hills. The site may be associated with Tell Ashtara or nearby locations in the Hauran region.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עַשְׁתָּרוֹת and the dual of קֶרֶן; Ashtaroth of (the) double horns (a symbol of the deity); Ashteroth-Karnaim, a place East of the Jordan; Ashtoreth Karnaim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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עשתר + קרן (ʿ-š-t-r + q-r-n) — increase, fertility, goddess Ashtart; horn, projecting point
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6255-02 |
קַרְנַ֔יִם | qarenayim | HNgmsa |
Karnaim | Ashtaroth-of-the-Two-Horns | Asheterot Qarenayim | 1 |
H6255-01 |
בְּ/עַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת | beasheterot | HR/Np |
in Ashteroth | in Ashtaroth-of-Two-Horns | in Asheterot Qarenayim | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6255-01 |
Genesis 14:5 | בְּ/עַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת | beasheterot | HR/Np |
in Ashteroth | in Ashtaroth-of-Two-Horns | in Asheterot Qarenayim |
H6255-02 |
Genesis 14:5 | קַרְנַ֔יִם | qarenayim | HNgmsa |
Karnaim | Ashtaroth-of-the-Two-Horns | Asheterot Qarenayim |