Conflicts with Samaria Lauren Bothereau

Samaria: Overview  Both a region and (later) a capital city  Originally settled by tribes of Joseph and Ephraim (13 th century B.C.)  Major places = Shechem, Mt. Gerizim  Samaria (city) built in 9 th century B.C.  Both a region and (later) a capital city  Originally settled by tribes of Joseph and Ephraim (13 th century B.C.)  Major places = Shechem, Mt. Gerizim  Samaria (city) built in 9 th century B.C.

Early History  First references to area:  Gen 12:6-7, 33:18-20: Abram and Jacob build altars in Shechem  Deut 11:29: Mt. Gerizim is blessed  Deut 27: Moses builds altar on Mt. Gerizim  First references to area:  Gen 12:6-7, 33:18-20: Abram and Jacob build altars in Shechem  Deut 11:29: Mt. Gerizim is blessed  Deut 27: Moses builds altar on Mt. Gerizim

Assyrian Conquest  Hoshea becomes king of Israel in Samaria (city)  Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, came to attack Hoshea and invaded entire land of Samaria (region)  2 Kings 17:3-6a (Message)  2 Kings 17:5-6a  Samaria destroyed in 721 B.C.  Hoshea becomes king of Israel in Samaria (city)  Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, came to attack Hoshea and invaded entire land of Samaria (region)  2 Kings 17:3-6a (Message)  2 Kings 17:5-6a  Samaria destroyed in 721 B.C.

Struggle for Control  7 th century BC: short-lived attempts by Judah to politically & culturally control Samaria  6 th century BC: Babylonians conquer Judah; incorporate Jerusalem and northern Judah into district of Samaria  5 th century BC: Persians separate Jerusalem and Samaria; restore province of Judea, causing hostility from governor of Samaria  Judeans hostile towards Samaritans who want to help reconstruct Jerusalem temple  7 th century BC: short-lived attempts by Judah to politically & culturally control Samaria  6 th century BC: Babylonians conquer Judah; incorporate Jerusalem and northern Judah into district of Samaria  5 th century BC: Persians separate Jerusalem and Samaria; restore province of Judea, causing hostility from governor of Samaria  Judeans hostile towards Samaritans who want to help reconstruct Jerusalem temple

Temple on Mt. Gerizim  Revolt broke out in 4 th century BC that forced much of local population to flee; cities of Samaria and Shechem rebuilt by remaining disenfranchised Samaritans  This group of Samaritans built a temple to the Hebrew God on Mt. Gerizim  These are the “Samaritans” encountered in the New Testament  Revolt broke out in 4 th century BC that forced much of local population to flee; cities of Samaria and Shechem rebuilt by remaining disenfranchised Samaritans  This group of Samaritans built a temple to the Hebrew God on Mt. Gerizim  These are the “Samaritans” encountered in the New Testament

 During the 2 nd century BC, (ca. 128), Samaria and Shechem were destroyed by John Hyrcanus  Jews destroyed temple as well  Region -> Judean control  Actions increased hostility between groups  During the 2 nd century BC, (ca. 128), Samaria and Shechem were destroyed by John Hyrcanus  Jews destroyed temple as well  Region -> Judean control  Actions increased hostility between groups

Relationship between Jews and Samaritans  Jews and Samaritans share a common origin, but greatly differ in regard to the sanctity of Jerusalem (Jews) & Mt. Gerizim (Samaritans)  John 4:20  Negative attitude led to complete avoidance of one another  Samaritan Woman at Well  Parable of Good Samaritan (Luke)  Jews and Samaritans share a common origin, but greatly differ in regard to the sanctity of Jerusalem (Jews) & Mt. Gerizim (Samaritans)  John 4:20  Negative attitude led to complete avoidance of one another  Samaritan Woman at Well  Parable of Good Samaritan (Luke)

Relationship between Jews and Samaritans  Eventually it was standard practice for Jews to completely avoid the region of Samaria when traveling to Jerusalem  Samaritans were excluded from the Jerusalem Temple, and were therefore considered “foreigners” to the Jews, despite common heritage  Eventually it was standard practice for Jews to completely avoid the region of Samaria when traveling to Jerusalem  Samaritans were excluded from the Jerusalem Temple, and were therefore considered “foreigners” to the Jews, despite common heritage

New Testament Application  In order to travel down to Jerusalem, Jesus “had to go through Samaria” (John 4:4)  Jews and Samarians had a long history of fighting and conflict, and wanting nothing to do with one another  In order to travel down to Jerusalem, Jesus “had to go through Samaria” (John 4:4)  Jews and Samarians had a long history of fighting and conflict, and wanting nothing to do with one another

NT Application (cont.)  Luke 9:51-53  Samaritans hostile to Jews traveling to Jerusalem; Jews frequently took the Jordan River route  John 4:9  Jews would be considered ceremonially unclean if they used a drinking vessel handled by a Samaritan  John 4:20  Difference in worship site  Luke 9:51-53  Samaritans hostile to Jews traveling to Jerusalem; Jews frequently took the Jordan River route  John 4:9  Jews would be considered ceremonially unclean if they used a drinking vessel handled by a Samaritan  John 4:20  Difference in worship site