Debbi Ben-Ami, Curator of the Iron Age at the Israel Antiquities Authority, added, "The meaning and function of these figurines are still not fully understood. The fact that they have been found in almost every household, as well as in streets and tombs, indicates that they were objects of everyday use. The identity and purpose of the Judean Pillar Figurines remain the subject of scholarly debate. They have previously been interpreted as representations of a fertility goddess - perhaps the goddess Asherah - and some have even suggested they were children's toys. However, they may instead have served as mediating or blessing figures, functioning as household amulets intended to bring blessing, protection, and good fortune. We hope that the newly discovered mold from Jerusalem will provide fresh insights and help answer some of the questions that continue to occupy researchers."I suppose the commandment against making graven images would not be in the Big Ten unless people were making them. Then again, cast art isn't technically "graven" (פסל). Maybe that technicality is why these figurines were so popular.
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