[93]. 2 Kings xvii. 16, and kindred passages.
[94]. Western Asia Inscriptions, Vol. IV. p. 32.
[95]. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of the fact that “there sat women weeping for Tammuz,” as even a “greater abomination” than burning incense to idols. (See Ezekiel viii, 13-14.)
[96]. The worship of Ashtaroth, which represented the grossest licentiousness and demanded human sacrifices, is strongly condemned in Judges ii, 12-13, and many other passages.
[97]. Annals of Assur-bani-pal, Cylinder B, Column 5.
[98]. Pliny, Nat. Hist., Vol. II, p. 619.
[99]. Pausanius, III, 25.
[100]. Literally “blue stone;” it was a brilliant dark blue.
[101]. The eagle, the lion, the horse, the king and the workman are supposed to represent the numerous bridegrooms of this treacherous goddess.
[102]. Inscriptions Western Asia, Vol. IV, p. 48, published by the British Museum, and translated by H. Fox Talbot, F.R. S.