Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Nergal is a deity mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the context of the religious practices of the people of Cuth, who were settled in Samaria by the Assyrians. The name Nergal is associated with a Mesopotamian god of war, death, and pestilence, often depicted as a lion. In the ancient Near Eastern pantheon, Nergal was considered a powerful and fearsome deity, reflecting the harsh and destructive aspects of nature and warfare.Biblical Reference: Nergal is mentioned in 2 Kings 17:30, which describes the syncretistic worship practices that emerged in Samaria after the Assyrian conquest and the subsequent resettlement of various peoples in the region. The verse states: "The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima," (2 Kings 17:30). This passage highlights the introduction of foreign deities into the religious landscape of Israel, as the Assyrians relocated conquered peoples into the Northern Kingdom. Each group brought its own gods, leading to a mixture of religious practices that were contrary to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Historical and Cultural Context: Nergal was a prominent deity in the Mesopotamian pantheon, particularly revered in the city of Cuth (or Cutha), which was located in what is now modern-day Iraq. As a god of war and the underworld, Nergal was often associated with destruction and chaos. His worship involved rituals and offerings intended to appease his wrath and gain his favor in battle. The presence of Nergal in the biblical narrative underscores the religious pluralism and idolatry that characterized the Northern Kingdom of Israel during this period. The Assyrian policy of resettling conquered peoples was designed to break down national identities and prevent rebellion, but it also led to the dilution of Israelite religious practices and the introduction of pagan worship. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, the mention of Nergal and other foreign gods in the Bible serves as a warning against idolatry and the dangers of syncretism. The Israelites were repeatedly admonished to worship Yahweh alone and to reject the gods of the surrounding nations. The introduction of Nergal into Samaria is a testament to the spiritual decline that occurred when the Israelites turned away from their covenant with God. The worship of Nergal and other deities is portrayed in the Bible as a violation of the first commandment, which emphasizes the exclusive worship of the one true God. This theme is consistent throughout the Old Testament, where the prophets frequently called the people of Israel to repentance and a return to faithful worship. Conclusion: While the Bible provides limited information about Nergal, his mention in 2 Kings 17:30 serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their distinct religious identity amidst the pressures of foreign influence and idolatry. The narrative of Nergal and other gods in Samaria illustrates the broader biblical theme of the struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptation to conform to the practices of surrounding cultures. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary NergalSmith's Bible Dictionary Nergal(hero), one of the chief Assyrian and Babylonian deities, seems to have corresponded closely to the classical Mars. (2 Kings 17:30) It is conjectured that he may represent the deified Nimrod. ATS Bible Dictionary NergalOne of the gods of the Cuthite heathen who were transplanted into Palestine, 2 Kings 7:20. This idol probably represented the planet Mars, which was ever the emblem of bloodshed. Mars is names, by the Zabians and Arabians, ill luck, misfortune. He was represented as holding in one had a drawn sword, and in the other, by the hair, a human head just cut off; his garments were blood red, as the light of the planet is also reddish. His temple among the Arabs was painted red; and they offered to him garments sprinkled with blood, and also a warrior, (probably a prisoner,) who was cast into a pool. The name Nergal appears in the proper names Nergalsharezer. Neriglassar, Jeremiah 39:3,13. Easton's Bible Dictionary The great dog; that is, lion, one of the chief gods of the Assyrians and Babylonians (2 Kings 17:30), the god of war and hunting. He is connected with Cutha as its tutelary deity. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia NERGALnar'-gal (nereghal): A Babylonian deity, identified with the planet Mars, and worshipped at Cutha (compare 2 Kings 17:30). Strong's Hebrew 5371. Nergal Sharetser -- a Bab. court officialNergal Sharetser. 5370, 5371. Nergal Sharetser. 5372 . a Bab. court official. Transliteration: Nergal Sharetser Phonetic Spelling ... /hebrew/5371.htm - 6k 5370. Nergal -- a heathen god Library The Last Agony Appendices Divided Worship How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ... Mongrel Religion The Survival of the Fittest. Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) The Old Testament and Comparative Religion Babylonia and Assyria The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea Thesaurus Nergal-sharezer (2 Occurrences)Nergal-sharezer. Nergalsharezer, Nergal-sharezer. Ner'gal-share'zer . Easton's Bible Dictionary Nergal, protect the king! ... /n/nergal-sharezer.htm - 9k Nergal-sarezer (2 Occurrences) Nergal (3 Occurrences) Nergal-sar-ezer (2 Occurrences) Nergal-shar-ezer (2 Occurrences) Rabmag (2 Occurrences) Rab-mag (2 Occurrences) Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences) Sharezer (5 Occurrences) Samgar-nebo (1 Occurrence) Resources Nergal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Nergal (3 Occurrences)2 Kings 17:30 Jeremiah 39:3 Jeremiah 39:13 Subtopics Related Terms Nergal-sarezer (2 Occurrences) Nergal-sar-ezer (2 Occurrences) Nergal-shar-ezer (2 Occurrences) Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences) Ner'gal-share'zer (2 Occurrences) Nebu'zarad'an (14 Occurrences) |
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