The Dehavites are a people mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history. They are listed among the groups of people who were settled in Samaria by the Assyrian Empire after the conquest and deportation of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The primary biblical reference to the Dehavites is found in the book of Ezra.

Biblical Reference:

· Ezra 4:9-10 : "From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech, and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, and the other peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates."

In this passage, the Dehavites are included among the various peoples who were relocated to Samaria by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. This relocation was part of the Assyrian policy of population displacement, which aimed to weaken conquered regions by mixing different ethnic groups, thereby reducing the likelihood of rebellion.

Historical Context:

The Dehavites, along with other groups mentioned in Ezra, were part of the Assyrian Empire's strategy to control its vast territories. By moving populations around, the Assyrians sought to dilute national identities and prevent unified uprisings against their rule. The Dehavites, therefore, were likely a people from the eastern regions of the empire, possibly from areas corresponding to modern-day Iran or Central Asia.

Cultural and Religious Influence:

The presence of the Dehavites and other foreign groups in Samaria contributed to the syncretistic religious practices that developed in the region. These groups brought with them their own customs and deities, which mingled with the remnants of Israelite worship. This blending of religious practices is evident in the later interactions between the Jews and Samaritans, as seen in the New Testament.

Significance in Jewish History:

The settlement of the Dehavites and other peoples in Samaria is significant in understanding the historical and religious tensions between the Jews and Samaritans. The Samaritans, who emerged from this mixed population, were often viewed with suspicion and hostility by the Jews returning from Babylonian exile. This animosity is reflected in various biblical narratives, including the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-26).

Conclusion:

While the Dehavites themselves are not extensively detailed in the biblical text, their inclusion in the list of peoples settled in Samaria highlights the complex ethnic and cultural landscape of the region during the post-exilic period. Their presence serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of Assyrian imperial policies and the enduring legacy of these policies in the history of Israel and its neighbors.Dehavites

mentioned only once in Scripture, (Ezra 4:9) among the colonists planted in Samaria after the completion of the captivity of Israel. They are probably the Dai or Dahi, mentioned by Herodotus (i. 125) among the nomadic tribes of Persia.

Dehavites

A people beyond the Euphrates, who furnished colonists for Samaria, 2 Kings 17:24; Ezra 4:9; supposed to be the Dahae, on the east of the Caspian sea, and under the Persian government.

Villagers, one of the Assyrian tribes which Asnapper sent to repopulate Samaria (Ezra 4:9). They were probably a nomad Persian tribe on the east of the Caspian Sea, and near the Sea of Azof. 1723. dahava -- that is.
... 1722, 1723. dahava. 1724 . that is. Transliteration: dahava Phonetic Spelling:
(dah-hav-aw') Short Definition: Dehavites. ... Dehavites ...
/hebrew/1723.htm - 5kDehavites (1 Occurrence)
... of Azof. Multi-Version Concordance Dehavites (1 Occurrence). Ezra 4:9 Then
wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and ...
/d/dehavites.htm - 7k

Dehaites (1 Occurrence)
... de-ha'-tez (dehawe'; the King James Version Dehavites): A people enumerated in Ezra
4:9 with Elamites, ere, as among those settled by the Assyrian king ...
/d/dehaites.htm - 7k

Dehites (1 Occurrence)

/d/dehites.htm - 6k

Dianites (1 Occurrence)
... their companions; the Dianites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites,
the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the ...
/d/dianites.htm - 6k

Susa (20 Occurrences)
... their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites,
the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the ...
/s/susa.htm - 13k

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