[PLATE CXLII., Fig.1.] [Illustration: PLATE 142] It is a subject of curious speculation, whether this sacred tree does not stand connected with the _Asherah_ of the Phoenicians, which was certainly not a "grove," in the sense in which we commonly understand that word.

The _Asherah_ which the Jews adopted from the idolatrous nations with whom they came in contact, was an artificial structure, originally of wood, but in the later times probably of metal, capable of being "set" in the temple at Jerusalem by one king, and "brought out" by another.

It was a structure for which "hangings" could be made, to cover and protect it, while at the same time it was so far like a tree that it could be properly said to be "cut down," rather than "broken" or otherwise demolished.

The name itself seems to imply something which stood, straight up; and the conjecture is reasonable that its essential element was "the straight stem of a tree," though whether the idea connected with the emblem was of the same nature with that which underlay the phallic rites of the Greeks is (to say the least) extremely uncertain.

We have no distinct evidence that the Assyrian sacred tree was a real tangible object: it may have been, as Mr.Layard supposes, a mere type.