The Dinaites are mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the groups of people who opposed the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem during the time of Zerubbabel. They are listed among the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin who sought to frustrate the efforts of the returning exiles to restore their place of worship and reestablish their community in the land of Israel.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to the Dinaites is found in the book of Ezra. In Ezra 4:9-10 , the text states: "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 cities of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates."

The Dinaites are included in this list of peoples who were settled in the region by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. These groups were likely a mix of various ethnicities and cultures, brought together by the Assyrian policy of deportation and resettlement, which aimed to weaken conquered peoples by removing them from their homelands and mixing them with other populations.

Historical Context:

The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and administrative efficiency, often relocated conquered peoples to prevent rebellion and to assimilate them into the empire. This policy is evident in the biblical narrative, where the Dinaites and other groups are depicted as settlers in the land of Samaria and surrounding regions. Their presence in the land during the time of the Jewish return from Babylonian exile created a complex socio-political environment.

Role in Opposition:

The Dinaites, along with other groups, wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, accusing the Jews of rebuilding a rebellious and wicked city. They claimed that if the city and its walls were rebuilt, the Jews would no longer pay tribute, taxes, or duty, thus harming the royal revenues (Ezra 4:12-13). This opposition led to a temporary halt in the construction of the temple, as the king ordered the work to cease until further notice (Ezra 4:21-24).

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the opposition of the Dinaites and their allies can be seen as part of the broader spiritual conflict between the people of God and the forces that seek to hinder His purposes. The narrative in Ezra highlights the perseverance and faith of the Jewish exiles, who, despite opposition, continued to trust in God's promises and eventually succeeded in rebuilding the temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the prophetic encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah.

The account of the Dinaites serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by God's people throughout history and the importance of steadfast faith in the face of adversity.Dinaites

(Ezra 4:9) the name of some of the Cuthaean colonists who were placed in the cities of Samaria after the captivity of the ten tribes.

DINAITES

di'-na-its (dinaye'): A people mentioned in Ezra 4:9, as settled in the city of Samaria by Osnappar (Assurbanipal). The identification is uncertain.

1784. Diynay -- judges
... 1783, 1784. Diynay. 1784a . judges. Transliteration: Diynay Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-nah'-ee) Short Definition: dinaites. Dinaite ...
/hebrew/1784.htm - 5kDinaites (1 Occurrence)
...DINAITES. di'-na-its (dinaye'): A people mentioned in Ezra 4:9, as settled in the
city of Samaria by Osnappar (Assurbanipal). ...Dinaites (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/dinaites.htm - 7k

Dine (10 Occurrences)

/d/dine.htm - 9k

Lesser (7 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/l/lesser.htm - 8k

Tarpelites (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/t/tarpelites.htm - 7k

Rehum (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/r/rehum.htm - 10k

Dehites (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/d/dehites.htm - 6k

Dehaites (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/d/dehaites.htm - 7k

Dehavites (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 4:9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/d/dehavites.htm - 7k

Dinah's (2 Occurrences)

/d/dinah's.htm - 7k

Dinites (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/d/dinites.htm - 6k

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