Topical Encyclopedia Geographical Context:Modern Samaria, located in the central region of the historical land of Israel, corresponds to the ancient territory that was once the heartland of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This area is bounded by Judea to the south and Galilee to the north. The city of Samaria, founded by King Omri (1 Kings 16:24), served as the capital of the Northern Kingdom and is a significant archaeological and historical site today. Historical Background: The inhabitants of ancient Samaria were originally Israelites, descendants of the ten northern tribes. However, following the Assyrian conquest in 722 B.C., the Assyrians deported many Israelites and repopulated the area with people from other conquered lands (2 Kings 17:24). This led to a mixed population, both ethnically and religiously, which played a significant role in the tensions between Samaritans and Jews during the time of Jesus. Religious and Cultural Identity: The Samaritans developed a distinct religious identity, centered on the worship of Yahweh but with significant differences from mainstream Judaism. They accepted only the Pentateuch as their Scripture and worshiped on Mount Gerizim rather than in Jerusalem. This divergence is highlighted in the New Testament, where Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well reveals the deep-seated animosity and theological differences between Jews and Samaritans (John 4:9-20). Modern Samaritans: Today, the Samaritan community is small, numbering around 800 individuals, primarily residing in the West Bank near Nablus (ancient Shechem) and in Holon, Israel. They continue to practice their ancient traditions, maintaining their unique religious identity and observing Passover on Mount Gerizim. True Descent and Identity: The question of the true descent of modern Samaritans is complex. While they claim descent from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, historical intermarriage with foreign populations during the Assyrian period complicates this claim. Despite this, the Samaritans have preserved a distinct cultural and religious identity over the centuries, emphasizing their connection to the ancient Israelites. Biblical References: The Bible provides several references to the Samaritans, often highlighting the tension between them and the Jews. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus uses a Samaritan as an example of neighborly love, challenging prevailing prejudices (Luke 10:33-37). Additionally, the account of the grateful Samaritan leper who returns to thank Jesus underscores the theme of faith transcending ethnic boundaries (Luke 17:16-18). Theological Significance: From a theological perspective, the Samaritans serve as a reminder of God's inclusive plan of salvation. Jesus' ministry among the Samaritans, as seen in His conversation with the Samaritan woman and His parables, illustrates the breaking down of ethnic and religious barriers, foreshadowing the Gospel's reach to all nations (Acts 1:8). Conclusion: The modern Samaritans, though few in number, continue to embody a unique blend of ancient Israelite heritage and distinct religious practices. Their presence in the land of Samaria serves as a living testament to the complex history and enduring legacy of the biblical narrative. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 17:24And 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 Ezra 4:9,10 Library In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ... Ezekiel John the Baptist's Person and Preaching. Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) The Israelites The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Seven Trumpets. The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Resources What is the importance of Samaria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy had the believers in Samaria not received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8)? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Samaritans? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ancient Samaria: A Mountainous Country Ancient Samaria: had Many Cities Ancient Samaria: Inhabitants of, Carried Captive to Assyria Ancient Samaria: People of Characterised as Corrupt and Wicked Ancient Samaria: People of Characterised as Idolatrous Ancient Samaria: People of Characterised as Proud and Arrogant Ancient Samaria: Predictions Respecting Its Destruction Ancient Samaria: Repeopled from Assyria Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Besieged Again by Benhadad Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Besieged and Taken by Shalmaneser Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Besieged by Benhadad Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Built by Omri King of Israel Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Called After Shemer the Owner of the Hill on Which It Was Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Called the Head of Ephraim Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Called the Mountain of Samaria Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Deliverance of, Effected Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Deliverance of, Predicted Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Delivered by Miraculous Means Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Elisha Predicted Plenty In Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Kings of Israel Sometime Took Their Titles From Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Remarkable Plenty In, As Foretold by Elisha Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Suffered Severely from Famine Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of The Burial Place of the Kings of Israel Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of The Pool of Samaria Near To Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of The Prophet Elisha Dwelt In Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of The Residence of the Kings of Israel Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Was a Fenced City, and Well Provided With Arms Ancient Samaria: The Territory of Ephraim and Manasseh Properly So Called Ancient Samaria: The Whole Kingdom of Israel Sometimes Called Modern Samaria: Christ After his Resurrection Commanded the Gospel to Be Modern Samaria: Christ at First Forbade his Disciples to Visit Modern Samaria: Christ Preached In Modern Samaria: Cities of, Mentioned in Scripture: Antipatris Modern Samaria: Cities of, Mentioned in Scripture: Samaria Modern Samaria: Cities of, Mentioned in Scripture: Sychar Modern Samaria: had Many Cities Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Abhorred by the Jews Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Boasted Descent from Jacob Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Expected the Messiah Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of had No Intercourse or Dealings With the Jews Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of More Humane and Grateful than the Jews Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Opposed the Jews After Their Return from Captivity Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Professed to Worship God Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Ready to Hear and Embrace the Gospel Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Their Religion Mixed With Idolatry Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Their True Descent Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Were Superstitious Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Worshipped on Mount Gerizim Modern Samaria: Many Christian Churches In Modern Samaria: Situated Between Judea and Galilee Modern Samaria: The Gospel First Preached In, by Philip Modern Samaria: The Persecuted Christians Fled To Samaria: City of, Built by Omri Samaria: City of, Built by Omri: Besieged by Ben-Hadad Samaria: City of, Built by Omri: Besieged by Shalmaneser, King of Assyria, for Three Years Samaria: City of, Built by Omri: Capitol of the Kingdom of the Ten Tribes Samaria: City of, Built by Omri: Idolatry of Samaria: City of, Built by Omri: Paul and Barnabas Preach In Samaria: City of, Built by Omri: Temple of, Destroyed Samaria: City of, Built by Omri: Visited by Philip, Peter, and John Samaria: Country of: Disciples Made from the Inhabitants of Samaria: Country of: Foreign Colonies Distributed Among the Cities of, by the King of Assyria Samaria: Country of: Jesus Forbids the Apostles to Preach in the Cities of Samaria: Country of: Jesus Heals Lepers In Samaria: Country of: Jesus Travels Through Samaria: Country of: No Dealings Between the Jews and the Inhabitants of Samaria: Country of: Roads Through, from Judaea Into Galilee Samaria: Country of: Samaritans Were Expecting the Messiah Samaria: Country of: The Good Samaritan From Samaria: The King of Syria is Led Into, by Elisha, Who Miraculously Blinds Him and his Army Related Terms |