Osnappar, also known as Ashurbanipal, was a prominent Assyrian king who reigned from 668 to 627 BC. He is mentioned in the Bible in the context of the resettlement of peoples in the region of Samaria. The name "Osnappar" appears in the book of Ezra, where it is associated with the Assyrian policy of deporting and resettling conquered peoples to maintain control over their territories.

Biblical Reference:

The primary biblical reference to Osnappar is found in Ezra 4:10, which states: "and the rest of the nations that the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates." . This passage highlights the Assyrian practice of relocating populations, a strategy used to prevent rebellion and assimilate conquered peoples into the Assyrian Empire.

Historical Context:

Osnappar, or Ashurbanipal, was one of the last great kings of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. His reign is noted for its military campaigns, cultural achievements, and the expansion of the Assyrian Empire to its greatest territorial extent. Ashurbanipal is particularly renowned for his vast library at Nineveh, which contained a wealth of cuneiform tablets and is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries related to ancient Mesopotamia.

Assyrian Resettlement Policy:

The Assyrian policy of deportation and resettlement was a hallmark of their imperial strategy. By moving large groups of people from their homelands to other parts of the empire, the Assyrians aimed to dilute nationalistic sentiments and reduce the likelihood of uprisings. This policy is reflected in the biblical account of Osnappar's actions, as he is credited with relocating various nations to Samaria and other regions.

Significance in Biblical History:

The resettlement activities attributed to Osnappar had lasting implications for the history of Israel and Judah. The introduction of foreign populations into Samaria contributed to the ethnic and religious diversity of the region, setting the stage for future conflicts and interactions between the Israelites and the Samaritans. This historical backdrop is essential for understanding the complex social and religious dynamics present in the New Testament period.

Cultural and Religious Impact:

Osnappar's reign, marked by the flourishing of Assyrian culture and the accumulation of knowledge, had a significant impact on the ancient Near East. The cultural exchanges facilitated by the movement of peoples under Assyrian rule contributed to the diffusion of ideas, technologies, and religious practices across the empire. The legacy of Ashurbanipal's library, with its extensive collection of texts, underscores the importance of cultural preservation and intellectual achievement during his reign.

In summary, Osnappar, or Ashurbanipal, is a figure of considerable historical and biblical significance. His actions as an Assyrian king, particularly in the realm of population resettlement, played a crucial role in shaping the historical and cultural landscape of the ancient Near East, as reflected in the biblical narrative.OSNAPPAR

os-nap'-ar (Ezra 4:10).

See ASHURBANIPAL.

620. Asenappar -- an Assyrian king
... Asenappar. 621 . an Assyrian king. Transliteration: Asenappar Phonetic Spelling:
(os-nap-par') Short Definition: Osnappar. ... king NASB Word Usage Osnappar (1). ...
/hebrew/620.htm - 5k

The Old Testament and Archeology
... his Assyrian name, it is very probable that he is the king referred to in Ezra
4..10, where it is said that the "great and noble Osnappar" brought Babylonians ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Osnappar (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia OSNAPPAR. os-nap'-ar (Ezra 4:10). See
ASHURBANIPAL. Multi-Version Concordance Osnappar (1 Occurrence). ...
/o/osnappar.htm - 7k

Ashurbanipal (1 Occurrence)
... viceroy of Babylonia. Ashurbanipal is generally believed to be the great and noble
Osnappar (Ezra 4:10). See OSNAPPAR. If this identification ...
/a/ashurbanipal.htm - 12k

Osnap'par (1 Occurrence)
Osnap'par. Osnappar, Osnap'par. Ospray . Multi-Version Concordance Osnap'par
(1 Occurrence). ... Osnappar, Osnap'par. Ospray . Reference Bible.
/o/osnap'par.htm - 6k

Oshea (2 Occurrences)

/o/oshea.htm - 7k

Trans (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought
over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the ...
/t/trans.htm - 7k

Elsewhere (14 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought
over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the ...
/e/elsewhere.htm - 10k

Dinaites (1 Occurrence)
... 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. ...
/d/dinaites.htm - 7k

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

Deported (12 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought
over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the ...
/d/deported.htm - 10k

Archevite
... ar'-ke-vit (Kethibh, 'arkawey; Qere, 'arkewaye'): One of the tribes which Osnappar
transplanted to swell the mixed multitudes in the cities of Samaria (Ezra 4:9 ...
/a/archevite.htm - 7k

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