Samaritans
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Samaritans are an ethno-religious group descended from the ancient Israelite population of the Kingdom of Israel, who maintained a distinct religious tradition centered on the Torah and worship at Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem.
What is the meaning of Samaritans in the Bible?
The Samaritans are an ethno-religious group descended from the ancient Israelite population of the Kingdom of Israel, who maintained a distinct religious tradition centered on the Torah and worship at Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Samaritans clarifies the historical context of the northern tribes' exile and the subsequent development of Jewish identity, while their interactions with Jesus in the New Testament illustrate the deep social and religious divisions within first-century Judea.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.