Atomic Bible

City of origin for people resettled in Samaria

Sepharvaim

Named in 6 verses across 2 books, first in 2 Kings 17:24.

סְפַרְוַ֫יִםSepharvite

סְפָרִיםSepharvaim

Also called Sepharvite.

The name means “the two books; the two scribes.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Sepharvaim Written by AI

Sepharvaim is mentioned in the Bible as one of the cities from which the Assyrians brought people to resettle in Samaria after the deportation of the Israelites (2Ki. 17:24, 31). The people of Sepharvaim, along with those from other cities, were brought in to replace the exiled Israelites and to populate the cities of Samaria. These foreign settlers brought with them their own gods and religious practices, including the worship of Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim (2Ki. 17:31). The exact location of Sepharvaim is uncertain, but it is mentioned alongside other cities conquered by the Assyrians, such as Hamath and Arpad (2Ki. 18:34; 19:13; Isa. 36:19; 37:13). Some scholars propose that Sepharvaim may be identified with the Babylonian city of Sippar, located on the east bank of the Euphrates River, while others suggest it could be a city in Syria or Cilicia. The resettlement of people from Sepharvaim and other cities in Samaria contributed to the mixed religious and cultural background of the Samaritans, who were later regarded with animosity by the Jews.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

Taken by Sargon, king of Assyria (2 Kings 17:24; 18:34; 19:13; Isa. 37:13). It was a double city, and received the common name Sepharvaim, i.e., “the two Sipparas,” or “the two booktowns.” The Sippara on the east bank of the Euphrates is now called Abu-Habba; that on the other bank was Accad, the old capital of Sargon I., where he established a great library. (See SARGON.) The recent discovery of cuneiform inscriptions at Tel el-Amarna in Egypt, consisting of official despatches to Pharaoh Amenophis IV. and his predecessor from their agents in Palestine, proves that in the century before the Exodus an active literary intercourse was carried on between these nations, and that the medium of the correspondence was the Babylonian language and script. (See KIRJATH-SEPHER.)

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

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GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names it

  1. 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 possession of Samaria and lived in its towns.

  2. 2 Kings 17:31

    the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim.

  3. 2 Kings 18:34

    Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand?

  4. 2 Kings 19:13

    Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’”

  5. Isaiah 36:19

    Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand?

  6. Isaiah 37:13

    Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’”

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.