Translations
Original
Notes
The king of Assyria was Sargon II. He ruled from 721 to 705 BC.
the God of the land … has sent lions: People in the ancient Near East believed a land's peace and success were tied to its god and religious practices.
One of the priests returned to Bethel, but his teachings on worshiping the Lord were likely influenced by Jeroboam I's religion and mixed with pagan practices.
The foreigners also continued to worship their own gods. They added the worship of Israel’s God to their own practices. Most of the false gods mentioned here are unknown. Jewish scribes may have changed their names.
Nergal was the Mesopotamian god of the underworld. Nibhaz and Tartak were probably Elamite gods.
The writer adds information about later events in Israel, like foreigners moving into the land and the mixed population's blended religious practices.
People
Ashima: Deity worshipped by the people of Hamath Nergal: A Mesopotamian god worshipped by the Assyrians Succoth-benoth: A Babylonian deity worshipped by the Sepharvites
Places
Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel Cuthah: Babylonian city; origin of Samaritan settlers Hamath: A major city and kingdom in Syria, often mentioned in the Bible
Glossary
Ashima Book of Micah Cuth, Cuthah Gods and Goddesses Jeroboam Kings, Books of First and Second Manasseh, Tribe of Nations Nergal Orontes Samaritans Succoth-Benoth Syria, Syrians
Topics
Ashima: An Idol Babylon: Empire of Colonists From, Sent to Samaria Cuth: A District of Asia, from Which Colonists Were Transported to Samaria Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Ashima Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nergal Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Succothbenoth Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Licentiousness of Judgments: Delivered: Into the Hands of the Assyrians Nergal: An Idol Samaria: Country of: Foreign Colonies Distributed Among the Cities of, by the King of Assyria