Historical Context

Ancient Samaria, originally the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Following the division of the united monarchy after Solomon's reign, Samaria became the center of the Northern Kingdom under King Omri around 880 BC (1 Kings 16:24). The city was strategically located on a hill, making it a formidable fortress and a hub of political and religious activity.

Assyrian Conquest and Exile

The Assyrian Empire, under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II, conquered Samaria in 722 BC after a prolonged siege. This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Assyrians, known for their policy of deportation, exiled a significant portion of the Israelite population to various parts of the Assyrian Empire. This is recorded in 2 Kings 17:6 : "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."

Repopulation by Assyrians

To prevent rebellion and to assimilate the conquered territories, the Assyrians repopulated Samaria with people from other parts of their empire. This is detailed in 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."

These new inhabitants brought with them their own customs and deities, leading to a syncretistic form of worship that combined elements of their native religions with the worship of Yahweh. This mixture of beliefs and practices is highlighted 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."

Religious and Cultural Impact

The repopulation of Samaria by foreign peoples had profound religious and cultural implications. The intermingling of these groups with the remaining Israelites led to the emergence of the Samaritans, a community with distinct religious practices that were often at odds with those of the Jews in Judah. This tension is evident in the New Testament, where Samaritans are frequently depicted as being in conflict with Jewish customs and beliefs (John 4:9).

The Samaritans accepted only the Pentateuch as their Scripture and built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which they considered the true place of worship, in contrast to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. This divergence in religious practice and belief contributed to the longstanding animosity between Jews and Samaritans, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42).

Legacy

The Assyrian repopulation of Samaria set the stage for centuries of cultural and religious interaction and conflict. The Samaritans, though often marginalized in biblical narratives, played a crucial role in the religious landscape of the region. Their unique identity, forged through the Assyrian policy of resettlement, continues to be a subject of interest in biblical studies and archaeology.2 Kings 17:24,25
And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelled in the cities thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... the ancient city certainly displeased and no doubt alarmed her two former rivals,
the Kalda and Elam, who had hoped one day to wrest her heritage from Assyria. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... of both the capital cities, Jerusalem and Samaria; the former ... [11] This ancient city
Hamath ... condition of the same country, without being repeopled by foreign ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

What is a Samaritan? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org

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