2 Chronicles 14:3

the altars of the strangegods] R.V. the strange altars.

the images R.V. the pillars, LXX. τὰς στήλας. The "pillar" or "obelisk," Heb. Maçççbâh, was a monolith standing by an altar as a symbol of the god worshipped at the altar. In later days an image took the place of the pillar, i.e. the mere symbol was succeeded by the likeness of the god. (W. R. Smith, Religion of the Semites, p. 203 ff.)

and cut down the groves R.V. and hewed down the Asherim. An Ashêrah(pl. Ashêrimand Ashêroth) was probably a wooden pole which was planted beside an altar as the symbol of a deity. It appears to have been a survival of tree-worship, as the Maçççbâhwas a survival of stone-worship. The ashêrahof itself did not represent any particular deity, but it could be carved to bear the symbol of any special god or goddess, e.g. of Astarte. (W. R. Smith, Religion of the Semites, p. 186 ff.)