Sepharvaim
Summary
An ancient Babylonian city on the Euphrates from which colonists were brought to settle Samaria after the Assyrian deportation of Israel.
☩Identification
Sepharvaim is generally identified with the famous city of Sippara (Sumerian: Zimbir) on the Euphrates, about sixteen miles southwest of Baghdad. The dual Hebrew ending '-aim' reflects the fact that there were two Sipparas—one on each bank of the river, or one called 'Sippar of Shamash' (the sun god) and another 'Sippar of Anunit' (a goddess). Ancient tradition held that records of the antediluvian world were buried here before the flood.
☩Resettlement of Samaria
After the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and deported its inhabitants, they brought foreigners from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim to repopulate the land. These colonists brought their pagan worship with them, including the practice of burning their children in fire to their gods Adrammelech and Anammelech.
☩Assyrian Boasting
Sennacherib's envoy Rabshakeh cited Sepharvaim as an example of a city whose gods could not save it from Assyrian conquest, attempting to demoralize Jerusalem by asking, 'Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?' This boast was answered when God destroyed the Assyrian army.
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Sepharvaim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sepharvaim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.George Morrish, "Sepharvaim," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sepharvaim," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).