Part 3 — Is Easter Another Name for Ishtar?

𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗦

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟯 — 𝗜𝗦 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗧𝗔𝗥?

One of the historical errors repeated in Hebrew Roots circles is that Easter comes directly from the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. Some teachers use this claim to accuse Christians of unknowingly honoring a pagan deity when they celebrate Yeshua's resurrection. Families have argued over this teaching, and some believers have been made to feel ashamed of their faith. Before we accuse anyone of idolatry, we ought to establish whether the accusation is true.

Herbert W. Armstrong taught this in The Plain Truth About Easter (1973). He claimed that Easter was a slightly altered English spelling of Ishtar.

But is that how the word developed?

The English word Easter comes from Old English Ēastre or Ēostre, belonging to the Germanic language family.

Ishtar is an Akkadian name belonging to the Semitic language family. Similar pronunciation in modern English doesn't establish a historical connection.

The eighth-century English historian Bede associated the English name with an earlier Anglo-Saxon goddess called Eostre. Scholars still discuss aspects of that history, but Bede wasn't describing the Babylonian Ishtar.

What about the biblical connection?

Matt. 26:17–19 places Yeshua's final Passover preparations in their Jewish setting.

In 1 Cor. 5:7, Paul writes, “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (NKJV).

And in 1 Cor. 15:3–4, Paul identifies Messiah's death, burial, and resurrection as central to the gospel.

These passages establish the importance of Passover and Yeshua's resurrection. They don't tell us that the English word Easter originated with Ishtar.

There are legitimate questions about Christian holiday practices, their development, and their relationship to the biblical festivals. We should examine those questions carefully.

But we cannot answer them by repeating inaccurate etymologies.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗗𝗢 𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦?

If you've taught the Ishtar connection, return to the historical sources. Correct the claim, and reconsider any accusations you've made against Christians because of it.

Deut. 4:2 warns us against adding to God's commandments.

We can celebrate Passover, appreciate the Jewish setting of Yeshua's death and resurrection, and still treat Christians who observe Easter with fairness.

For my Hebrew Roots friends, keep your enthusiasm for Torah and the biblical festivals. Continue learning. A mistaken historical argument doesn't have to undermine the good you've discovered.

B"H!

𝗟𝗬𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗦

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𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦

• Matt. 26:17–19; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Cor. 15:3–4; Deut. 4:2.

• Herbert W. Armstrong, The Plain Truth About Easter (1973), “Ishtar the Pagan Goddess.”

https://www.bibletools.org/.../plain-truth-about-easter.htm

• Bede, The Reckoning of Time, chapter 15 (725 CE).

• Online Etymology Dictionary, “Easter.”

https://www.etymonline.com/word/Easter