The Dehaites are a group mentioned in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history, specifically in the Book of Ezra. They are listed among the peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon. The Dehaites, along with other groups, sought to frustrate the plans of the returning Jews to rebuild the temple and restore Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to the Dehaites is found in the Book of Ezra. In Ezra 4:9-10 , the text 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 cities of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates."

The Dehaites are included in this list of peoples who were settled in the region by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. They are part of the broader coalition of adversaries who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, accusing the Jews of rebuilding a rebellious and wicked city (Ezra 4:12-16). This opposition led to a temporary halt in the construction efforts until the reign of Darius.

Historical Context:

The Dehaites, like many other groups mentioned in Ezra, were likely part of the population resettled by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires as part of their policy of deportation and resettlement. This policy aimed to weaken conquered peoples by removing them from their homelands and mixing them with other populations, thereby reducing the likelihood of rebellion.

The presence of the Dehaites and other groups in the land during the time of the Jewish return from exile highlights the complex social and political landscape the returning exiles faced. These groups had established themselves in the land during the Jewish absence and viewed the returnees as a threat to their own established way of life and political influence.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the opposition of the Dehaites and other groups can be seen as part of the broader narrative of spiritual and physical opposition to God's plans and purposes for His people. The rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of Jerusalem were central to the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, and the resistance faced by the returning exiles serves as a reminder of the challenges that often accompany the fulfillment of divine purposes.

The narrative of opposition in Ezra underscores the theme of perseverance and faithfulness in the face of adversity. Despite the efforts of the Dehaites and their allies, the Jewish exiles, under the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel and Ezra, ultimately succeeded in rebuilding the temple and reestablishing their community, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Cultural and Social Implications:

The interaction between the returning Jewish exiles and the Dehaites reflects the broader cultural and social tensions of the time. The Dehaites, as part of the mixed population in the region, likely had their own religious practices and cultural identity, which were threatened by the reestablishment of a distinct Jewish community centered around the worship of Yahweh.

This tension is indicative of the broader struggle for identity and religious purity that characterized the post-exilic period. The Jewish leaders' insistence on maintaining a distinct identity and religious practice was crucial for the survival and continuity of the Jewish faith and community in the face of external pressures and influences.

In summary, the Dehaites represent one of the many groups that played a role in the complex historical and theological landscape of the post-exilic period. Their opposition to the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish exiles serves as a backdrop to the themes of perseverance, faithfulness, and the fulfillment of God's promises in the biblical narrative.DEHAITES

de-ha'-tez (dehawe'; 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 Samaria. The identification is uncertain.

Dehaites (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia DEHAITES. de ... The identification is uncertain.
Multi-Version Concordance Dehaites (1 Occurrence). Ezra ...
/d/dehaites.htm - 7k

Degrees (18 Occurrences)

/d/degrees.htm - 14k

Lesser (7 Occurrences)
... the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites,
the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, (See NAS ...
/l/lesser.htm - 8k

Tarpelites (1 Occurrence)
... the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites,
the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, (WEB KJV ...
/t/tarpelites.htm - 7k

Rehum (8 Occurrences)
... the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites,
the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, (WEB KJV ...
/r/rehum.htm - 10k

Dinaites (1 Occurrence)
... the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites,
the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, (WEB KJV ...
/d/dinaites.htm - 7k

Dehites (1 Occurrence)
... the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites,
the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, (See JPS ...
/d/dehites.htm - 6k

Dehavites (1 Occurrence)

/d/dehavites.htm - 7k

Dinites (1 Occurrence)
... the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites,
the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, (See JPS ...
/d/dinites.htm - 6k

Babylonians (48 Occurrences)
... the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites,
the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, (WEB KJV ...
/b/babylonians.htm - 22k

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