Topical Encyclopedia Assyria, a dominant empire in the ancient Near East, is frequently mentioned in the Bible for its military prowess and its role in the history of Israel and Judah. One of the significant aspects of Assyria's influence on the biblical narrative is the introduction of its idolatrous practices into Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.The Assyrian Empire, known for its polytheistic religion, worshipped a pantheon of gods, with Ashur being the chief deity. Other prominent gods included Ishtar, the goddess of love and war, and Marduk, who was later assimilated into the Babylonian pantheon. The Assyrians were known for their elaborate rituals and the construction of grand temples dedicated to their deities. The introduction of Assyrian idolatry into Samaria is a direct consequence of the Assyrian conquest and subsequent resettlement policies. In 722 B.C., the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V, followed by Sargon II, captured Samaria after a prolonged siege, leading to the fall of the Northern Kingdom. As 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." Following the conquest, the Assyrians implemented a policy of population displacement to prevent rebellion and to assimilate conquered peoples. They deported a significant portion of the Israelite population and brought in people from other parts of the Assyrian Empire to resettle in Samaria. 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 religious practices and deities, leading to a syncretistic form of worship that combined elements of Assyrian idolatry with the remnants of Israelite religious practices. The Bible describes how these settlers initially did not fear the LORD, prompting God to send lions among them, which killed some of the people (2 Kings 17:25). In response, the Assyrian king sent back one of the exiled Israelite priests to teach the new inhabitants how to worship the LORD (2 Kings 17:27-28). Despite this attempt to instruct the new settlers in the ways of the LORD, the result was a mixed form of worship. As stated in 2 Kings 17:29-33 , "Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the towns where they settled and set them up in the shrines the people of Samaria had made at the high places. The people from Babylon made Sukkoth Benoth, those from Cuthah made Nergal, and those from Hamath made Ashima; the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire as sacrifices to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. They worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed all sorts of their own people to officiate for them as priests in the shrines at the high places. They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought." This syncretism led to a dilution of the worship of Yahweh and the introduction of practices that were abominable in the sight of God. The idolatry brought into Samaria by the Assyrians and the resulting religious practices were a direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel, which strictly prohibited the worship of other gods (Exodus 20:3-5). The Assyrian influence on Samaria's religious landscape had long-lasting effects, contributing to the spiritual decline of the region and setting the stage for future conflicts and misunderstandings between the Samaritans and the Jews, as seen in the New Testament. The idolatry introduced by the Assyrians serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of compromising faith and the consequences of turning away from the worship of the one true God. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 17:29However, every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelled. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Woman of Samaria In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ... A Kingdom's Epitaph The Assyrian Captivity Mongrel Religion Nineveh. The Nations of the South-East Divided Worship Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ... "The Prophets of God Helping Them" Resources Who was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Nineveh destroyed? | GotQuestions.org What is British Israelism and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Assyria: Alliances With, Sought by Judah and Israel Assyria: An Empire Founded by Nimrod Assyria: Antiquity and Origin of Assyria: Army of, Destroyed by the Angel of the Lord Assyria: As a Power, Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance Assyria: As a Power, Was: Cruel and Destructive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Intolerant and Oppressive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Most Formidable Assyria: As a Power, Was: Proud and Haughty Assyria: As a Power, Was: Selfish and Reserved Assyria: As a Power, Was: Unfaithful Assyria: Called: The Land of Nimrod Assyria: Celebrated For: Extensive Commerce Assyria: Celebrated For: Extent of Conquests Assyria: Celebrated For: Fertility Assyria: Chief Men of, Described Assyria: Condemned for Oppressing God's People Assyria: Idolatry of, Brought Into Samaria Assyria: Idolatry, the Religion of Assyria: Invaded by Pharaoh-Necho Assyria: Israel Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Israelites Carried Captive Into Assyria: Israelites Subject To Assyria: It Extended from East of the Tigris Assyria: Its Armies Invade the Land of Israel Under Pul Assyria: Jews Carried Captive To Assyria: Judah Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Manasseh Taken Captive To Assyria: Nineveh, Chief City of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest and Captivity of Israel By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Syria By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of the Kenites By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Judah By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Participation in the Blessings of the Gospel Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of Israel From Assyria: Prophecies Concerning Assyria: Prophecies of Captivity of Israelites In Assyria: Pul King of Brought off by Menahem Assyria: Pul King of Invaded Israel Assyria: Sennacherib King of Assassinated by his Sons Assyria: Sennacherib King of Blasphemed the Lord Assyria: Sennacherib King of Bought off by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of His Army Destroyed by God Assyria: Sennacherib King of Insulted and Threatened Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Invaded Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Prayed Against by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Reproved for Pride and Blasphemy Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Carried Israel Captive Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Imprisoned Hoshea Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Reduced Israel to Tribute Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Re-Peopled Samaria from Assyria Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Was Conspired Against by Hoshea Assyria: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Assyria: The Greatness, Extent, Duration, and Fall, Illustrated Assyria: The Jews Condemned for Following the Idolatries of Assyria: The Re-Peopling of Samaria From, Completed by Asnappar Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Asked to Aid Ahaz Against Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Conquered Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Ravaged Israel Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Took Money from Ahaz, But Strengthened Him Not Assyria: Watered by the River Tigris Related Terms Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences) Tillegath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgathpilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences) |
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