Introduction to the OT WorldIntroduction to the OT WorldIntroduction to the OT WorldIntroduction to the OT World

SamariaSamaria

• Week 12, 10/27/2013Week 12, 10/27/2013• Gene Wright, GeneLA@comcast.netGene Wright, GeneLA@comcast.net

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamariaSamaria gets its name from the city Omri built that was Samaria gets its name from the city Omri built that was the capital of the Northern Kingdom.the capital of the Northern Kingdom.This was after Zimri had burned the palace (and This was after Zimri had burned the palace (and himself) in the old capital of Tirzah.himself) in the old capital of Tirzah.Prior to this period the site appears to have been the Prior to this period the site appears to have been the center of an extensive wine and oil production area, center of an extensive wine and oil production area, which may have accounted for its choice as the new which may have accounted for its choice as the new capital. capital. The origin of the name of the site was from Shemer the The origin of the name of the site was from Shemer the owner of the land that Omri purchased for two talents owner of the land that Omri purchased for two talents of silver (1 Kings 16:23-24).of silver (1 Kings 16:23-24).

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamaria

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamaria

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamariaOrigin of Samaritans?Origin of Samaritans?Originally Jews! Originally Jews!

““Reigned over Israel in SamariaReigned over Israel in Samaria”” 1 Kings 16:29, 22:51, 2 Kings 3:1, 10:36, 13:1, 13:10, 15:17, 15:23, 1 Kings 16:29, 22:51, 2 Kings 3:1, 10:36, 13:1, 13:10, 15:17, 15:23, 15:27, 17:115:27, 17:1

931 B.C. Divided Kingdom - 1 Kings 11:26-12:26931 B.C. Divided Kingdom - 1 Kings 11:26-12:26

King Omri – Bought Shameron Hill (Shameron originally meant King Omri – Bought Shameron Hill (Shameron originally meant ““watchwatch”” or or ““watch towerwatch tower””) from Shemer -- 1 Kings 16:16-22) from Shemer -- 1 Kings 16:16-22

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamaria

Ancestrally, the Samaritans claim descent from Ancestrally, the Samaritans claim descent from a group of Israelite inhabitants from the tribes of a group of Israelite inhabitants from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (the two sons of Ephraim and Manasseh (the two sons of Joseph) as well as some descendants from the Joseph) as well as some descendants from the priestly tribe of Levi, who have connections to priestly tribe of Levi, who have connections to ancient Samaria from the period of their entry ancient Samaria from the period of their entry into the land of Canaan. into the land of Canaan. The Samaritans, however, claim to derive their The Samaritans, however, claim to derive their name not from this geographical designation, name not from this geographical designation, but rather from the Hebrew term Shamerim, but rather from the Hebrew term Shamerim, ““Keepers [of the Law]Keepers [of the Law]””..

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamariaAssyrian Captivity / EnslavementAssyrian Captivity / EnslavementSettled at least 5 nationalities among themSettled at least 5 nationalities among them

2 Kings 17:24 – Babylon, Cuthah, Awa, 2 Kings 17:24 – Babylon, Cuthah, Awa, Hamath, Sepharvaim. Goal? Hamath, Sepharvaim. Goal? ““PluralizePluralize””Israelites call them Israelites call them ““CuthitesCuthites”” as from as from ““CuthahCuthah””

Patchwork of different faiths existed with a Patchwork of different faiths existed with a ““formform”” of Judaism becoming prominent. of Judaism becoming prominent.

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamariaAssyrian sources:Assyrian sources:““The inhabitants of Samaria/Samerina, who agreed [and The inhabitants of Samaria/Samerina, who agreed [and plotted] with a king [hostile to] me, not to do service and not plotted] with a king [hostile to] me, not to do service and not to bring tribute [to Ashshur] and who did battle, I fought to bring tribute [to Ashshur] and who did battle, I fought against them with the power of the great gods, my lords…against them with the power of the great gods, my lords…I counted as spoil 27,280 people, together with their I counted as spoil 27,280 people, together with their chariots, and gods, in which they trusted. I formed a unit chariots, and gods, in which they trusted. I formed a unit with 200 of [their] chariots for my royal force… with 200 of [their] chariots for my royal force… I settled the rest of them in the midst of Assyria. I I settled the rest of them in the midst of Assyria. I repopulated Samaria more than before. I brought into it repopulated Samaria more than before. I brought into it people from countries conquered by my hands. I appointed people from countries conquered by my hands. I appointed my eunuch as governor over them. my eunuch as governor over them. And I counted them as And I counted them as AssyriansAssyrians..””

Why the hatred between?Why the hatred between?Why the hatred between?Why the hatred between?

Three primary causes for the hatred!Three primary causes for the hatred!

1) Ezra and the return1) Ezra and the return- the - the ““sons of the Golahsons of the Golah””, Ezra 4:1-5, Nehemiah 13:23, Ezra 4:1-5, Nehemiah 13:23- Anyone who had intermarried, were NOT put on the lists!- Anyone who had intermarried, were NOT put on the lists!- Ezra 4:3 - The offer of help with the temple- Ezra 4:3 - The offer of help with the temple- ““You have no part with usYou have no part with us””

2) Manasseh and Mt Gerazim2) Manasseh and Mt Gerazim- Manasseh - son of the high priest in Jerusalem but had - Manasseh - son of the high priest in Jerusalem but had married the daughter of Sanballat, the governor of Samariamarried the daughter of Sanballat, the governor of Samaria- Nehemiah drives him out, Nehemiah 13:28- Nehemiah drives him out, Nehemiah 13:28- Josephus says he built worship center on Mt Gerazim- Josephus says he built worship center on Mt Gerazim

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamariaThree primary causes for the hatred!Three primary causes for the hatred! 3) Destruction of the Samaritan Temple by John Hyrcanus3) Destruction of the Samaritan Temple by John Hyrcanus- 330 B.C. Alexander the Great endorsed a temple on Mt Gerizim- 330 B.C. Alexander the Great endorsed a temple on Mt Gerizim- 168 B.C. Samaritans support Antiochus Epiphanes- 168 B.C. Samaritans support Antiochus Epiphanes- 128 B.C. Hasmonean John Hyrcanus destroyed the temple- 128 B.C. Hasmonean John Hyrcanus destroyed the temple- Had stood for 200 years- Had stood for 200 years Evidence of this hatred in 180 B.C.Evidence of this hatred in 180 B.C.

Wisdom of Ben Sirach 50:25-26 – 180 B.C. – OT ApocryphaWisdom of Ben Sirach 50:25-26 – 180 B.C. – OT Apocrypha““Two nations my soul detests, and the third is not even a people: Two nations my soul detests, and the third is not even a people: Those who live in Seir, the Philistines, and the foolish people who Those who live in Seir, the Philistines, and the foolish people who live in Shechemlive in Shechem”” --- Edom, Philistines, and Samaritans --- Edom, Philistines, and Samaritans

Samaria and SamaritansSamaria and SamaritansSamaria and SamaritansSamaria and SamaritansEvidence of this hatred in 30 A.D.Evidence of this hatred in 30 A.D.

Near the climatic point of JesusNear the climatic point of Jesus’’ longest argument with the Jewish longest argument with the Jewish leaders, they make this statement to him:leaders, they make this statement to him:

John 8:48 John 8:48 ““The Jews answered him, The Jews answered him, ““Are we not right in saying Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?’’ ””

The two most deadly insults they can hurl are that Jesus is a The two most deadly insults they can hurl are that Jesus is a Samaritan and has a demon.Samaritan and has a demon.

The Aramaic word for Samaritan is The Aramaic word for Samaritan is ““ShomeroniShomeroni””The Aramaic word for demon is The Aramaic word for demon is ““ShomeronShomeron””

How interesting that in Jewish thinking these words have become How interesting that in Jewish thinking these words have become nearly identical.nearly identical.

GalileeGalileeGalileeGalileeSolomon rewarded Hiram of Phoenicia by giving him the gift of an Solomon rewarded Hiram of Phoenicia by giving him the gift of an upland plain among the mountains of Naphtali containing 20 cities. upland plain among the mountains of Naphtali containing 20 cities. Hiram called it "the land of Cabul.Hiram called it "the land of Cabul.”” (1 Kings 9:13) (1 Kings 9:13) Hiram was not pleased with the gift, however.Hiram was not pleased with the gift, however.The name means The name means ““good for nothing.good for nothing.”” The region takes its name from the Hebrew word for The region takes its name from the Hebrew word for ““districtdistrict”” ““Galilee of the Nations,Galilee of the Nations,”” Hebrew ““galil goyimgalil goyim”” Properly called “Properly called “thethe Galilee” Galilee”

Isaiah 9:1Isaiah 9:1: : ““In the former time he brought into contempt the land of In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.nations.””

The The ““nationsnations”” would have been the foreigners who came to settle there, would have been the foreigners who came to settle there, or who had been forcibly deported there.or who had been forcibly deported there.

Many more Gentiles here than Judea.Many more Gentiles here than Judea.

GalileeGalileeGalileeGalilee

Many more Gentiles here than Judea.Many more Gentiles here than Judea.

Josephus called the largest city in Galilee, the Josephus called the largest city in Galilee, the ““ornament of all ornament of all GalileeGalilee””

This city was the first capital of the district under Herod Antipas.This city was the first capital of the district under Herod Antipas.

It is named Sepphoris and was a Jewish and Gentile city.It is named Sepphoris and was a Jewish and Gentile city.

Seventeen times the word "hypocrites" appears in the Gospels, and Seventeen times the word "hypocrites" appears in the Gospels, and three times in the Sermon on the Mount. Where would Jesus, three times in the Sermon on the Mount. Where would Jesus, growing up in the small village of Nazareth, have come into contact growing up in the small village of Nazareth, have come into contact with with ““hypocrites,hypocrites,”” a Greek word for actors? Perhaps four miles away a Greek word for actors? Perhaps four miles away in Sepphoris. in Sepphoris.

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamaria

Religiously, they are the adherents to Religiously, they are the adherents to Samaritanism, a religion closely related to Samaritanism, a religion closely related to Judaism. Based on the Samaritan Torah, Judaism. Based on the Samaritan Torah, Samaritans claim their worship is the true Samaritans claim their worship is the true religion of the ancient Israelites prior to the religion of the ancient Israelites prior to the Babylonian Exile, preserved by those who Babylonian Exile, preserved by those who remained in the Land of Israel, as opposed to remained in the Land of Israel, as opposed to Judaism, which they assert is a related but Judaism, which they assert is a related but altered and amended religion brought back by altered and amended religion brought back by those returning from exile.those returning from exile.

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamariaReligion of the SamaritansReligion of the SamaritansMuch like the Sadducees – Manasseh link?Much like the Sadducees – Manasseh link?Little Little ““traditions of the elderstraditions of the elders””1) God is one1) God is one2) God created man in the image of the angels2) God created man in the image of the angels3) Moses is God3) Moses is God’’s only prophet, but he received the law on s only prophet, but he received the law on Mount Gerizim, not Sinai. Will never be another like Moses Mount Gerizim, not Sinai. Will never be another like Moses – Deut 34:10?– Deut 34:10?4) Mount Gerizim true 4) Mount Gerizim true ““House of GodHouse of God”” and contains 12 and contains 12 stones of Israel Deut 27:4stones of Israel Deut 27:45) The 5) The ““TahebTaheb”” – the one who restores, will appear at the – the one who restores, will appear at the end of time (John 4:25?). He is mortal and will live for only end of time (John 4:25?). He is mortal and will live for only 110 years. He will destroy all who followed Ezra110 years. He will destroy all who followed Ezra’’s counsel.s counsel.

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SamariaSamariaSamariaSamaria

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamariaAlthough historically they were a large community — up to more than Although historically they were a large community — up to more than a million in late Roman times, then gradually reduced to several tens a million in late Roman times, then gradually reduced to several tens of thousands up to a few centuries ago.of thousands up to a few centuries ago.Their unprecedented demographic shrinkage has been a result of Their unprecedented demographic shrinkage has been a result of various historical events, including, most notably...various historical events, including, most notably...

1)1) the bloody suppression of the Third Samaritan Revolt (529 AD) the bloody suppression of the Third Samaritan Revolt (529 AD) against the Byzantine Christian rulers andagainst the Byzantine Christian rulers and2)2) the mass conversion to Islam in the Early Muslim period of the mass conversion to Islam in the Early Muslim period of Palestine.Palestine.

According to their tally, there were 712 Samaritans as of November 1, According to their tally, there were 712 Samaritans as of November 1, 2007, living exclusively in two localities, one in Kiryat Luza on Mount 2007, living exclusively in two localities, one in Kiryat Luza on Mount Gerizim near the city of Nablus in the West Bank, and the other in the Gerizim near the city of Nablus in the West Bank, and the other in the Israeli city of Holon.Israeli city of Holon.

Samaritans on Mount Gerizim, 2006Samaritans on Mount Gerizim, 2006Samaritans on Mount Gerizim, 2006Samaritans on Mount Gerizim, 2006

SamaritansSamaritansSamaritansSamaritans

Samaritans celebrating PassoverSamaritans celebrating PassoverSamaritans celebrating PassoverSamaritans celebrating Passover

The Good Samaritan InnThe Good Samaritan InnThe Good Samaritan InnThe Good Samaritan Inn

SamariaSamariaSamariaSamariaNote that Jesus did not consider the Samaritans to be JewsNote that Jesus did not consider the Samaritans to be Jews

-““Do not enter into any city of the Samaritans; but go rather Do not enter into any city of the Samaritans; but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”” – Matt 10:5-8 – Matt 10:5-8

So, Jews = lost sheep of house of Israel, butSo, Jews = lost sheep of house of Israel, but

Samaritans = found sheep of house of Israel? NoSamaritans = found sheep of house of Israel? NoSamaritans cannot be part of the house of Israel, according Samaritans cannot be part of the house of Israel, according to the words of Jesus.to the words of Jesus.

Next week, the Kingdom of JudahNext week, the Kingdom of Judah