the root of both names is a Proto-Semitic *ʾṯrt. The Arabic root ʾṯr (as in ʾaṯar',' "trace") is similar in meaning to the Hebrew ʾāšar, indicating "to tread", used as a basis to explain Asherah's epithet "of the sea" as "she who treads the sea" (especially as the Arabic root yamm also means "sea"). Recently, it has been suggested that the goddess name Athirat might be derived from the passive participle form, referring to "one followed by (the gods)", that is, "pro-genitress or originatress", corresponding with Asherah's image as the "mother of the gods" in Ugaritic literature. See also Explanatory notes Citations General sources . . . External links Asherah Asphodel P. Long, The Goddess in Judaism – An Historical Perspective Asherah, the Tree of Life and the Menorah Jewish Encyclopedia: Asherah Rabbi Jill Hammer, An Altar of Earth: Reflections on Jews, Goddesses and the Zohar University of Birmingham: Deryn Guest: Asherah at Archive.org Lilinah biti-Anat, Qadash Kinahnu Deity Temple "Room One, Major Canaanite Deities" Kuntillet ʿAjrud inscriptions Jacques Berlinerblau, "Official religion and popular religion in pre-Exilic ancient Israel" (Commentary on Yahweh's Asherah.) ANE: Kuntillet bibliography Jeffrey H. Tigay, "A Second Temple Parallel to the Blessings from Kuntillet Ajrud" (University of Pennsylvania) (This equates Asherah with an asherah.) Israelite David Steinberg, Israelite Religion to Judaism: the Evolution of the Religion of Israel Ancient Israel and Judah Book of Deuteronomy Book of Jeremiah Deities in the Hebrew Bible Fertility goddesses Levantine mythology Mother goddesses Phoenician mythology West Semitic goddesses South Arabia Arabian goddesses Queens of Heaven (antiquity) Ugaritic deities