Bible Dictionaries
Ashima

Holman Bible Dictionary

(uh sshi' muh) Syrian god made and worshiped in Hamath (2 Kings 17:30 ). The Hebrew word asham means, “guilt.” Hebrew writers may have deliberately written a word associated with guilt instead of the name of the god or goddess. Hamath's goddess may have been Asherah. See Asherah . Amos 8:14 says Israel swore by or made oaths by the “sin” (KJV) “guilt” (NAS) or “shame” of Samaria. NRSV and NIV footnote propose “Ashimah of Samaria.” Samaria worshiped falsely. They may have incorporated the god of Hamath into their worship. See Hamath . The exilic Elephantine papyri from a Jewish community in Egypt mention an “Ashim-bethel” who may have been worshiped by Egyptian Jews as a counterpart to Yahweh.