Nergal
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Nergal was a Babylonian deity identified with the planet Mars, worshipped at Cutha. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 17:30.
What is the meaning of Nergal in the Bible?
Nergal was a Babylonian deity identified with the planet Mars, worshipped at Cutha. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 17:30.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Nergal clarifies the specific foreign deities introduced by Assyrian colonists into Samaria, explaining the religious syncretism that the biblical text critiques as a cause for Israelite exile.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Nergal. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Nergal in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Nergal clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
2 Kings 17:30
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.
How to Cite This Entry
"Nergal." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/nergal/