The Mysterious Samaritans of the Bible: Who Are They and Where Do They Come From?
The Samaritans, a group that has been referred to as the 'Ten Lost Tribes of Israel,' have a rich and complex history both within biblical accounts and in the subsequent historical records. Understanding their origins and development is a multifaceted journey, one that intertwines with political strife, religious transformation, and cultural evolution.
Biblical Accounts and Early History
The Samaritans are first mentioned in the Hebrew Bible in the context of the divided Kingdom of Israel. According to the historical accounts, when Solomon died, there was a split between his son Rhoboam and his nephew Jeroboam the son of Nebat. The 10 northern tribes chose Jeroboam as their king, while the southern tribes remained loyal to Rhoboam, leading to the formation of a new kingdom called Israel, with its capital in Samaria.
The city of Samaria, named after the predecessor of Jeroboam, was built during the reign of King Omri, who defeated the support of another contender named Tibni. After the destruction of the old capital due to the civil war, Omri settled in Samaria, which later became the capital of the northern kingdom.
The Assyrian Period
Roughly two centuries later, the Assyrian king Sargon II conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, taking a large portion of the population as captives to the region of Lake Van in the northern territory of the Assyrian Empire. This act is often cited as the beginning of the 'Ten Lost Tribes.' However, a small number of people were left behind, which eventually joined the southern kingdom of Judah.
In addition to these inhabitants, Sargon II also conquered the Arab tribes of the Arabian peninsula and settled them in Samaria. These Arab tribes intermingled with the existing population, leading to the development of a community known as the Samaritans. By the time the southern kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonians, Sargon had already laid the groundwork for this diverse population.
The Persian and Hellenistic Periods
Following the fall of the Babylonian Empire, the Persian king Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BCE, allowing captives to return to their ancestral lands. Some of the Arab tribesmen of Samaria intermarried with returning Jews, blending cultures and religious practices. By the Second Temple period, tensions between Jews and Samaritans were high, with some Jews joining the Samaritan community due to religious disagreements.
The Samaritans continued to develop their unique cultural and religious identity until the imperialistic Islamic invasion. Even under these pressures, they maintained their independence for several centuries, establishing their own kingdom.
Modern Perceptions and Consequences
It is important to note that the traditional understanding of the Samaritans as the 'Ten Lost Tribes' has been challenged by modern scholars. The history of Samaria and the emergence of the Samaritan community is much more complex and nuanced. For instance, the Samaria did not exist until it was built by the ruling Israelite king, and the people living there were initially Canaanites who were conquered by the Israelites in the 15th century BCE. As such, the Samarians of the Bible were not simply casualties of a civil war but products of a long-standing interaction between conquerors and the conquered.
The survival of the Samaritans is also tied to the specific religious texts and traditions they possess. While the Jews developed their own version of the Old Testament, the Samaritans retained a similar but distinct version, modifying some key details along the way. For example, their version of Genesis includes differences in timeframes for various historical events, such as the duration of Noah's flood.
Understanding the Samaritans, their history, and their role in the ancient Near East is crucial for comprehending the complex tapestry of biblical and historical records. Their story is a testament to the resilience of a people and the dynamic nature of cultural and religious evolution.
Keywords: Samaritans, Bible, Assyrian Empire