The Tarpelites are mentioned in the context of the Assyrian resettlement of Samaria following the conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This event is recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of 2 Kings. The Tarpelites were among the various peoples brought by the Assyrian Empire to repopulate the region after the Israelites were exiled.

Biblical Reference:

The primary biblical reference to the Tarpelites is found in 2 Kings 17:24, which states: "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 Berean Standard Bible does not specifically mention the Tarpelites by name in this verse, they are traditionally understood to be among these groups, as further detailed in historical and biblical scholarship.

Historical Context:

The Assyrian policy of resettlement was a strategic move to prevent rebellion and to assimilate conquered peoples into the empire. By relocating various ethnic groups, the Assyrians aimed to dilute nationalistic sentiments and create a more manageable and loyal population. The Tarpelites, along with other groups, were part of this policy, which led to a significant cultural and religious transformation in Samaria.

Cultural and Religious Impact:

The introduction of the Tarpelites and other foreign peoples into Samaria resulted in a syncretistic blend of religious practices. The Bible records that these new inhabitants initially did not fear the LORD, leading to divine judgment in the form of lion attacks (2 Kings 17:25). In response, the Assyrian king sent back an Israelite priest to teach the new settlers how to worship the LORD (2 Kings 17:27-28). However, the resulting religious practices were a mixture of worshiping the LORD and serving their own gods, as described in 2 Kings 17:33: "They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been brought."

Significance in Biblical Narrative:

The presence of the Tarpelites and other foreign settlers in Samaria is significant in understanding the historical and religious context of the region during the post-exilic period. This mixed population laid the groundwork for the later tensions between Jews and Samaritans, as seen in the New Testament. The Samaritans, who emerged from this blend of peoples and practices, were often viewed with suspicion and hostility by the Jews of Judea, who considered their worship to be impure and their lineage to be compromised.

Conclusion:

The Tarpelites, as part of the Assyrian resettlement strategy, played a role in the complex history of Samaria. Their presence contributed to the cultural and religious diversity of the region, which had lasting implications for the relationship between Jews and Samaritans in biblical history.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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