Nibhaz is a deity mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the religious practices of the Samaritans. The reference to Nibhaz is found in 2 Kings 17:31, which states: "The Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim."

Historical Context

The mention of Nibhaz occurs during the period of the Assyrian conquest and the subsequent resettlement of various peoples in the region of Samaria. After the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C., the Assyrians deported many Israelites and brought in people from other conquered territories to inhabit the land. These new settlers brought with them their own religious practices and deities, leading to a syncretistic form of worship that combined elements of the worship of Yahweh with the worship of foreign gods.

Religious Significance

Nibhaz is identified as one of the gods worshiped by the Avvites, a group of people resettled in Samaria by the Assyrians. The specific nature and attributes of Nibhaz are not detailed in the biblical text, and there is limited historical or archaeological evidence to provide further insight into the characteristics or worship practices associated with this deity. The mention of Nibhaz alongside other deities such as Tartak, Adrammelech, and Anammelech suggests a pantheon of gods that were venerated by the various peoples resettled in the region.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the worship of Nibhaz and other foreign deities in Samaria is indicative of the religious syncretism that was prevalent among the people who inhabited the land after the Assyrian conquest. This syncretism was in direct violation of the covenantal requirements given to the Israelites, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh. The presence of such deities highlights the spiritual decline and apostasy that characterized the Northern Kingdom and its inhabitants.

The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 17 emphasizes the consequences of this apostasy, as it led to the eventual downfall and exile of the Northern Kingdom. The introduction of foreign gods like Nibhaz serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of abandoning the worship of the one true God in favor of idolatry.

Cultural and Archaeological Considerations

While there is scant archaeological evidence directly related to Nibhaz, the broader context of Assyrian religious practices and the syncretistic environment of the ancient Near East provide some understanding of how such deities might have been integrated into local worship. The Assyrians were known for their policy of relocating conquered peoples, which often resulted in the blending of religious traditions and the introduction of new gods into existing pantheons.

In summary, Nibhaz represents one of the many foreign deities that infiltrated the religious landscape of ancient Israel during a time of political upheaval and spiritual compromise. The biblical account serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the dangers of idolatry.Nibhaz

budding; prophesying

Nibhaz

(the barker), a deity of the Avites, introduced by them into Samaria in the time of Shalmaneser. (2 Kings 17:31) The rabbins derived the name from a Hebrew root nabach , "to bark," and hence assigned to it the figure of a dog, or a dog-headed man. The Egyptians worshipped the dog. Some indications of this worship have been found in Syria, a colossal figure of a dog having formerly stood at a point between Berytus and Tripolis.

Barker, the name of an idol, supposed to be an evil demon of the Zabians. It was set up in Samaria by the Avites (2 Kings 17:31), probably in the form of a dog. NIBHAZ

nib'-haz (nibhchaz): Given as the name of an idol of the Avvites, introduced by them into Samaria (2 Kings 17:31), but otherwise unknown. The text is supposed to be corrupt.

5026. Nibchaz -- a god of the Avvites
... 5025, 5026. Nibchaz. 5027 . a god of the Avvites. Transliteration: Nibchaz
Phonetic Spelling: (nib-khaz') Short Definition: Nibhaz. ... Nibhaz. ...
/hebrew/5026.htm - 5k

Divided Worship
... Succoth-benoth' (probably a deity, though the name may mean booths for purposes
of prostitution) and the others 'made Nergal and Ashima and Nibhaz and Tartak ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/divided worship.htm

Nibhaz (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NIBHAZ. nib ... The text is supposed to be
corrupt. Multi-Version Concordance Nibhaz (1 Occurrence). 2 ...
/n/nibhaz.htm - 7k

Nibshan (1 Occurrence)

/n/nibshan.htm - 7k

Nezib (1 Occurrence)

/n/nezib.htm - 7k

Tartak (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 17:31 and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burnt
their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim ...
/t/tartak.htm - 7k

Adram'melech (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 17:31 and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt
their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim ...
/a/adram'melech.htm - 7k

Adrammelech (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 17:31 and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burnt
their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim ...
/a/adrammelech.htm - 8k

Avites (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 17:31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their
children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. ...
/a/avites.htm - 7k

Av'vites (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 17:31 and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burnt
their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim ...
/a/av'vites.htm - 6k

Anam'melech (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 17:31 and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt
their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim ...
/a/anam'melech.htm - 6k

Anammelech (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 17:31 and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burnt
their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim ...
/a/anammelech.htm - 9k

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