The Tarpelites are mentioned in the Bible in the context of the resettlement of Samaria following the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The reference to the Tarpelites is found in the book of Ezra, which provides a historical account of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Biblical Reference:

Ezra 4:9 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 city of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates."

In this passage, the Tarpelites are listed among the various groups of people who were settled in Samaria by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. This resettlement was part of the Assyrian policy of population displacement, which aimed to prevent rebellion by mixing different ethnic groups and diluting their national identities.

Historical Context:

The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and administrative efficiency, often relocated conquered peoples to different parts of the empire. This strategy was intended to break the spirit of the conquered nations and to integrate them into the Assyrian system. The Tarpelites, along with other groups mentioned in Ezra 4:9, were part of this policy.

The exact origin of the Tarpelites is not clearly defined in the biblical text, and there is limited historical information about them outside of the Bible. Some scholars suggest that the name "Tarpelites" may be related to a region or city within the Assyrian Empire, but this remains speculative.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of the Tarpelites and other resettled peoples in the book of Ezra highlights the challenges faced by the returning Jewish exiles. The presence of these foreign groups in Samaria and the surrounding regions created tension and opposition to the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. The narrative in Ezra underscores the theme of faithfulness to God's covenant and the perseverance required to overcome obstacles in fulfilling God's purposes.

The inclusion of the Tarpelites in the biblical account serves as a reminder of the complex historical and cultural interactions that shaped the post-exilic period. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to use historical events to accomplish His divine plan.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:

While direct archaeological evidence of the Tarpelites is scarce, the broader context of Assyrian resettlement practices is well-documented. Assyrian records and inscriptions provide insight into the empire's administrative strategies and the movement of peoples within its territories. These historical records corroborate the biblical account of population displacement and the resettlement of diverse groups in conquered regions.

The Tarpelites, as part of this historical milieu, contribute to our understanding of the cultural and ethnic diversity present in the ancient Near East during the time of the Assyrian Empire. Their mention in the Bible, though brief, is a testament to the intricate tapestry of peoples and cultures that interacted with the Israelites throughout their history.Tarpelites

ravishers; succession of miracles

TARPELITES

tar'-pel-its (Tarpelaye' (Ezra 4:9)): Various theories have been advanced as to the identity of the Tarpelites. Rawlinson suggested the Tuplai, which name appears in the inscriptions as equivalent to the Greek Tibarenoi, a tribe on the coast of Pontus. Hitzig located them in Tripolis in Northern Phoenicia. The latest theory emends the text to Tiphceraya', "tablet-writers" (from the Assyrian dup sarru); compare Schrader, Schrader, The Cuneiform Inscriptions and the Old Testament, on Jeremiah 51:27.

2967. tarpelaye -- official (a Pers. title)
... Tarpelites. (Aramaic) from a name of foreign derivation; a Tarpelite (collectively)
or inhabitants of Tarpel, a place in Assyria -- Tarpelites. 2966, 2967. ...
/hebrew/2967.htm - 6kTarpelites (1 Occurrence)
...TARPELITES. tar'-pel-its (Tarpelaye' (Ezra 4:9)): Various theories have been advanced
as to the identity of the Tarpelites. ...Tarpelites (1 Occurrence). ...
/t/tarpelites.htm - 7k

Tarried (42 Occurrences)

/t/tarried.htm - 18k

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

Tarnish (1 Occurrence)

/t/tarnish.htm - 7k

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

Dinaites (1 Occurrence)
... wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions,
the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites ...
/d/dinaites.htm - 7k

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

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

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

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

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