The term "Cuthite" refers to the inhabitants of the ancient region of Cuth, which is often associated with the area of Mesopotamia, particularly near the city of Babylon. The Cuthites are mentioned in the context of the Assyrian resettlement policies during the period of the Israelite exile.

Biblical References:

The primary biblical reference to the Cuthites is found in 2 Kings 17:24, which describes the actions of the Assyrian king following the conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The verse states: "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 over Samaria and lived in its towns" . This passage highlights the Assyrian strategy of relocating conquered peoples to prevent rebellion and to assimilate them into the empire.

Historical Context:

The Cuthites, along with other groups mentioned in 2 Kings 17:24, were part of the Assyrian Empire's policy of population displacement. This policy aimed to weaken the national identity and cohesion of conquered peoples by scattering them across different regions. The resettlement of the Cuthites in Samaria led to a significant cultural and religious intermingling, which had lasting effects on the region.

Religious Significance:

The introduction of the Cuthites and other foreign peoples into Samaria resulted in a syncretistic form of worship. 2 Kings 17:29-33 describes how each group made its own gods and placed them in the high places of Samaria. The Cuthites, specifically, are noted for making Nergal, a deity associated with the underworld and war, as their god. This blending of religious practices contributed to the development of the Samaritan religion, which was distinct from the pure Yahwistic worship of the Israelites.

Cultural Impact:

The presence of the Cuthites and other foreign settlers in Samaria led to tensions between the returning Jewish exiles and the inhabitants of the land during the post-exilic period. This is evident in the accounts of opposition faced by the Jews in rebuilding the temple and the walls of Jerusalem, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The intermarriage and religious syncretism that occurred during this time were significant factors in the strained relations between Jews and Samaritans, which persisted into the New Testament era.

Legacy:

The legacy of the Cuthites is most prominently seen in the historical and religious development of the Samaritans. The Samaritan community, which emerged from this period of Assyrian resettlement, maintained a distinct identity and religious tradition that centered on the Pentateuch as their sacred text. The animosity between Jews and Samaritans, rooted in these historical events, is evident in the New Testament, particularly in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-26).

In summary, the Cuthites played a significant role in the historical and religious landscape of ancient Israel, contributing to the complex cultural and religious dynamics of the region. Their presence in Samaria is a testament to the far-reaching impact of Assyrian imperial policies and the enduring legacy of cultural and religious interactions in the biblical narrative.CUTHEAN; CUTHITE

ku-the'-an, kuth'-it.

See CUTH; SAMARITANS.

5370. Nergal -- a heathen god
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a heathen god NASB Word Usage Nergal (1).
Nergal. Of foreign origin; Nergal, a Cuthite deity -- Nergal. 5369, 5370. ...
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Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... Jews did not regard Samaria as belonging to the Holy Land, but as a strip of foreign
country"as the Talmud designates it (Chag.25 a.), "a Cuthite strip," or ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

Cuthite
Cuthite. Cuthean, Cuthite. Cutoff . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CUTHEAN;
CUTHITE. ku-the'-an, kuth'-it. See CUTH; SAMARITANS. ...
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Cuthean
Cuthean. Cuthah, Cuthean. Cuthite . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CUTHEAN;
CUTHITE. ku-the'-an, kuth'-it. See CUTH; SAMARITANS. ...
/c/cuthean.htm - 6k

Cutoff (1 Occurrence)

/c/cutoff.htm - 6k

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