Topical Encyclopedia The Captivity of the Ten Tribes refers to the historical and biblical event in which the northern kingdom of Israel, consisting of ten tribes, was conquered and exiled by the Assyrian Empire. This event is a significant moment in the history of Israel, marking the dispersion of the ten tribes and the beginning of what is often referred to as the "Lost Tribes of Israel."Historical Context Following the death of King Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel was divided into two separate entities: the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. The northern kingdom, also known as Ephraim or Samaria, was composed of ten tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and Joseph (often represented by Ephraim and Manasseh). The northern kingdom experienced a series of idolatrous practices and political instability, which led to its vulnerability to external threats. The biblical narrative attributes the downfall of the northern kingdom to its persistent disobedience to God's commandments and its failure to heed the warnings of the prophets. Assyrian Conquest The Assyrian Empire, under the reign of King Tiglath-Pileser III, began its incursions into the northern kingdom around 740 BC. The final blow came during the reign of King Hoshea, the last king of Israel. In 722 BC, the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V laid siege to Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom. The siege lasted for three years, culminating in the capture of the city by Sargon II, Shalmaneser's successor. The biblical account in 2 Kings 17:6 states: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes." Reasons for the Captivity The Bible provides a theological explanation for the captivity, emphasizing the spiritual and moral failures of the northern kingdom. 2 Kings 17:7-18 outlines the reasons for God's judgment, highlighting the Israelites' idolatry, rejection of God's statutes, and the worship of foreign gods. The passage states: "All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt and from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel." Aftermath and Legacy The Assyrian captivity resulted in the dispersion of the ten tribes throughout the Assyrian Empire. This event led to the assimilation of the Israelites into various cultures and the loss of their distinct identity as a people. The fate of the ten tribes has been a subject of much speculation and intrigue, often referred to as the "Lost Tribes of Israel." The captivity of the ten tribes serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, as well as the enduring hope for restoration and redemption through God's promises. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 17:6,23,24In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 18:9-12 Library That the Seven Sages Flourished in the Reign of Romulus, when the ... How Shalmaneser Took Samaria by Force and How He Transplanted the ... The Assyrian Captivity The Captivity of Judah. There was at that Time at Babylon one Nehemiah... How, Upon the Death of Solomon the People Forsook his Son Rehoboam ... Jesus' Temporary Residence at Capernaum. "Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge" How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea ... How Manasseh Reigned after Hezekiah; and How when He was in ... Resources Who was Cyrus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jeremiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Jehoiakim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Captivity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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