Exploring the Origins and Faith of an Ancient People
The Samaritans, an ethnoreligious group indigenous to Samaria, have a complex history rooted in the ancient Near East. Their origins are linked to the Israelites who settled in Canaan around the 17th century BCE, claiming descent from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.
Key Biblical Reference: 2 Kings 17:24 – "The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Kuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites."
Despite their mixed origins, the Samaritans maintained a strict adherence to the Torah, viewing it as the unaltered word given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
The Samaritans identify as "Bene-Yisrael" (Children of Israel) or "Shamerim" (Observant Ones), emphasizing their Israelite heritage. Genetic studies show close affinity to Jewish populations, with lineages claiming descent from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Levi.
Reference: 2 Chronicles 30:1, 10–11, 18 – Interactions with the Northern Kingdom, and Jeremiah 41:5 – Mention of Samaritans in biblical narratives.
Samaritanism is centered on the Samaritan Pentateuch, which differs from the Jewish Masoretic Text in about 6,000 instances. They reject post-Torah Jewish scriptures and Rabbinic works, focusing solely on the Torah.
Key Reference: Deuteronomy 33:4 – "Moses commanded us a law, the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob."
The Samaritans kept the Torah despite their mixed origins, rejecting later Jewish and Rabbinic developments.
The schism between Samaritans and Jews is debated, with dates ranging from Ezra's time to the Hasmonean period. The destruction of the Gerizim temple around 110 BCE by John Hyrcanus marked a decisive rupture.
Reference: John 4:9 – "For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans."