Topical Encyclopedia The term "Cuthean" refers to the inhabitants of the region of Cuth, which is associated with the ancient city of Cuthah in Mesopotamia. The Cutheans are often identified with the Samaritans in biblical literature, particularly in the context of the Assyrian resettlement of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.Biblical Context The Cutheans are mentioned in the context of the Assyrian conquest and subsequent resettlement of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 2 Kings 17:24 , it is recorded: "Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns." This passage indicates that the Cutheans were among the groups brought by the Assyrians to repopulate the land after the deportation of the Israelites. Historical Background Cuthah was an ancient city in Mesopotamia, located in what is now modern-day Iraq. It was a significant center for the worship of the Mesopotamian god Nergal. The Assyrian policy of resettlement was a strategic move to prevent rebellion by mixing populations and diluting national identities. The Cutheans, along with other groups, were settled in Samaria, leading to a blending of cultures and religious practices. Religious Syncretism The introduction of the Cutheans and other foreign peoples into Samaria led to a syncretism of religious practices. 2 Kings 17:29-33 describes how each group made its own gods and placed them in the high places of Samaria, leading to a mixture of worship practices: "But every nation made its own gods and put them in the shrines of the high places that the Samaritans had made—every nation in the cities where they lived... They worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed from among themselves priests for the high places, who officiated for them in the shrines of the high places." This syncretism was a source of tension between the returning Jewish exiles and the inhabitants of the land, including the Cutheans, who had developed a distinct religious identity over time. Samaritan Connection The Cutheans are often associated with the Samaritans, a group that emerged in the region of Samaria. The Samaritans claimed descent from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, but their mixed heritage and distinct religious practices led to animosity with the Jews, as seen in the New Testament. In John 4:9 , the Samaritan woman at the well expresses this tension: "The Samaritan woman said to Him, 'How is it that You, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?' (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)" Cultural and Theological Implications The presence of the Cutheans and their integration into the Samaritan population highlights the complexities of identity and religious practice in the ancient Near East. The blending of cultures and religions in Samaria serves as a backdrop for understanding the historical and theological tensions that persisted into the New Testament era. The Cutheans, as part of the broader Samaritan identity, played a role in the unfolding narrative of God's people, illustrating the challenges of maintaining religious purity and identity amidst foreign influence and political upheaval. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CUTHEAN; CUTHITEku-the'-an, kuth'-it. Library Samaria. Sychem. On the Journey to Jerusalem - Departure from Ephraim by Way of ... Thesaurus CutheanCuthean. Cuthah, Cuthean. Cuthite . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CUTHEAN; CUTHITE. ku-the'-an, kuth'-it. See CUTH; SAMARITANS. ... /c/cuthean.htm - 6k Cuthite Cuthah (2 Occurrences) Ezranehemiah Ezra-nehemiah Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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