Groves – Groves

Groves

Were very early used for religious worship, Ge 21:33. "The groves were God’s first temples," and seem naturally fitted for such purposes. Groves were also resorted to by heathen idolaters. Some elevated spot was generally chosen for this purpose. "They sacrifice upon the tops of mountains, and burn incense upon the hills; under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow hereof is good," Ho 4:13. It should be noticed, however, that the Hebrew word Asherah, which occurs in many passages, and is rendered grove in the English version, rather signifies an image of Astarte, 1Ki 18:19; 2Ki 13:6; etc. See ASHTORETH, plural ASH’TAROTH. The "high places" spoken of in Scripture were used first, for the worship of Jehovah, 1Ki 3:3,4; etc. This was, strictly speaking, and irregularity, since, according to the Law of Moses, every sacrifice was required to be brought to the altar of the sanctuary, Le 17:8,9; De 11:13,16. The "high places" were also used, secondly, for the worship of idols, 2Ki 23:15, etc.