The Dehavites are a people mentioned in the context of the resettlement of Samaria following the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They are listed among the various groups that the Assyrian king brought into the region to repopulate the land after the Israelites were exiled. This action was part of a broader Assyrian strategy to prevent rebellion by mixing different peoples and cultures.

Biblical Reference:

· 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."

While the Dehavites are not explicitly named in this verse, they are traditionally understood to be among the peoples brought into Samaria, as inferred from the broader context of the Assyrian resettlement policy. The Dehavites, along with other groups, contributed to the cultural and religious syncretism that characterized the region following the exile of the Israelites.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Dehavites are believed to have originated from the region of Media, which was part of the Assyrian Empire during the time of the Israelite exile. The Assyrians were known for their practice of relocating conquered peoples to different parts of their empire, a tactic designed to dilute national identities and reduce the likelihood of uprisings.

The introduction of foreign peoples, including the Dehavites, into Samaria led to significant changes in the religious landscape. The newcomers brought with them their own deities and religious practices, which eventually blended with the remnants of Israelite worship. This syncretism is evident in the subsequent religious practices of the Samaritans, who developed a distinct identity separate from both the Jews of Judah and the pagan practices of their new neighbors.

Religious Implications:

The presence of the Dehavites and other foreign groups in Samaria is significant in understanding the religious tensions between the Samaritans and the Jews during the post-exilic period. The Jews, having returned from Babylonian exile with a renewed commitment to the Mosaic Law, viewed the syncretistic practices of the Samaritans with suspicion and disdain. This tension is reflected in various New Testament accounts, where the Samaritans are often portrayed as religiously and ethnically distinct from the Jews.

The Dehavites, as part of the Assyrian resettlement, played a role in the complex history of Samaria, contributing to the region's diverse cultural and religious heritage. Their presence is a testament to the far-reaching impact of Assyrian imperial policies and the enduring legacy of these ancient peoples in the biblical narrative.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 Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
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