The term "Cuthites" refers to a group of people mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the context of the Assyrian resettlement of Samaria. The Cuthites are believed to be inhabitants from the region of Cuthah, which was one of the locations from which the Assyrians brought people to repopulate the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the exile of the Israelites. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 17:24: "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" .

Historical Context

Cuthah was an ancient city in Mesopotamia, located in what is now modern-day Iraq. It was a significant center of worship for the Mesopotamian god Nergal. The Assyrian Empire, known for its policy of deporting conquered peoples to prevent rebellion and to assimilate them into the empire, relocated various groups, including the Cuthites, to Samaria. This resettlement was part of a broader strategy to integrate the diverse populations within the Assyrian Empire and to dilute the national identity of the conquered peoples.

Religious Influence

The introduction of the Cuthites and other foreign peoples into Samaria led to a syncretism of religious practices. The Bible records that these new inhabitants initially did not fear the LORD, prompting God to send lions among them, which killed some of the people (2 Kings 17:25). In response, the king of Assyria sent back one of the exiled Israelite priests to teach the new settlers how to worship the LORD. However, the resulting religious practices were a mixture of the worship of the LORD and the worship of their native gods, as described in 2 Kings 17:29-33: "Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the towns where they settled, and set them up in the shrines the people of Samaria had made at the high places" .

Samaritan Connection

The Cuthites, along with other resettled peoples, are often associated with the origins of the Samaritans. The Samaritans developed a distinct identity, separate from the Jews, with their own version of the Pentateuch and worship centered on Mount Gerizim. The Jewish people of the time viewed the Samaritans with suspicion and disdain, partly due to their mixed heritage and syncretistic religious practices. This animosity is evident in the New Testament, where interactions between Jews and Samaritans are marked by tension, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-26).

Cultural and Theological Significance

The presence of the Cuthites in Samaria highlights the broader theme of God's sovereignty over nations and His desire for true worship. The biblical narrative underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of religious syncretism. The account of the Cuthites serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from the LORD and the challenges of maintaining religious purity in a pluralistic society.

The account of the Cuthites and their role in the history of Israel and Samaria provides insight into the complex interactions between different cultures and religions in the ancient Near East. It also sets the stage for understanding the historical and religious context of the New Testament, where the relationship between Jews and Samaritans plays a significant role in the ministry of Jesus Christ.Cuthites

A people who dwelt beyond the Euphrates, and were thence transplanted into Samaria, in place of the Israelites who had before inhabited it. They came from the land of Cush, or Cutha, in the East; their first settlement being in the cities of the Medes, subdued by Shalmaneser and his predecessors. See CUSH. The Israelites were substituted for them in those places, 2 Kings 17:24,30.

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