(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; Dahava, a people colonized in Samaria; Dehavites.
Transliteration:Dahăvâʼ
Pronunciation:dah-hav-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word `{{H1723}}` (דַּהֲוָא, *Dahăvâʼ*), transliterated as "Dehavites," refers to a specific people group. Its derivation is explicitly stated as uncertain, suggesting its etymology is not clearly understood or recoverable from the available linguistic evidence. The core meaning is thus tied directly to the identity of this group: a people named Dahava. Crucially, the definition notes their status as a people "colonized in Samaria." This indicates they were not indigenous to the region but were forcibly resettled there as part of a broader imperial policy, likely by the Assyrian or Persian empires. Their presence in Samaria signifies a diverse, mixed population, a key characteristic of the region following the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H1723}}` appears only once in the biblical text, specifically in [[Ezra 4:9]]. This sole occurrence is highly significant for understanding their role and identity within the biblical narrative.
The context of [[Ezra 4]] describes the opposition faced by the returning Jewish exiles as they sought to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The chapter details a letter sent to King Artaxerxes by various officials and peoples residing in Samaria and beyond, aiming to halt the reconstruction efforts. The verse states: "Then Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion: ...and the Dehavites, the Elamites, and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the city of Samaria and in the rest of the region Beyond the River..." ([[Ezra 4:9]]-10).
From this context, several key points emerge:
1. **Geographic Location:** The Dehavites were settled in Samaria, confirming their status as a non-native, transplanted population.
2. **Origin of Deportation:** They were among the peoples deported by "Osnappar," generally identified with Ashurbanipal, the last great king of Assyria. This places their resettlement firmly within the Assyrian policy of population transfer designed to suppress rebellion and integrate conquered territories.
3. **Role as Adversaries:** Their inclusion in the list of those who wrote to Artaxerxes firmly positions them among the adversaries of the Jewish people's restoration efforts. They were part of a coalition of diverse ethnic groups united in their opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple.
4. **Aramaic Context:** The entire passage in [[Ezra 4:8-6:18]] is written in Aramaic, reflecting the lingua franca of the Persian Empire for official correspondence. The use of `{{H1723}}` (an Aramaic term) is consistent with this linguistic setting.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Dehavites are not isolated in their biblical appearance but are part of a broader network of related words and concepts:
* **Other Peoples in Ezra 4:9:** The verse lists numerous other groups alongside the Dehavites, including the Apharsachites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites, and Elamites. This highlights the multi-ethnic and syncretistic nature of the population in Samaria and the "region Beyond the River."
* **Samaria/Samaritans:** The Dehavites contribute to the complex ethnic and religious identity of Samaria, a region whose inhabitants often had a contentious relationship with Jerusalem. While not explicitly called "Samaritans" in this text, their presence in Samaria links them to the broader historical animosity.
* **Assyrian/Persian Imperial Policy:** The mention of "Osnappar" and the act of deportation connect the Dehavites directly to the imperial strategies of population control and assimilation practiced by the great empires of the ancient Near East. This policy aimed to break down national identities and prevent rebellion.
* **Opposition to Restoration:** The Dehavites are an example of the external opposition faced by the post-exilic community in Ezra-Nehemiah. This theme is central to understanding the challenges of rebuilding and re-establishing the covenant community.
* **Aramaic Language:** As an Aramaic word, `{{H1723}}` is related to other Aramaic terms found in Ezra and Daniel, reflecting the administrative and diplomatic language of the Persian Empire.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H1723}}` refers to a relatively obscure people group with only a single biblical mention, their inclusion carries significant theological weight within the larger narrative of Ezra.
1. **Representation of Opposition:** The Dehavites, as part of the coalition in [[Ezra 4]], serve as a concrete example of the "nations" or "peoples" who actively opposed God's plan for the restoration of His people. Their presence underscores the reality of spiritual and physical resistance encountered by those seeking to fulfill divine mandates.
2. **Divine Providence amidst Adversity:** Despite the formidable opposition from groups like the Dehavites, the temple rebuilding eventually proceeded. This implicitly highlights God's sovereign hand in overcoming human obstacles and ensuring the fulfillment of His purposes, even through the actions of seemingly insignificant groups.
3. **The Nature of the Post-Exilic Community:** The presence of such diverse, non-Israelite groups in the land emphasizes the unique challenges faced by the returning exiles. They had to contend not only with physical rebuilding but also with maintaining their distinct identity and covenant faithfulness in a multi-ethnic, often hostile, environment.
4. **Historical Veracity:** The meticulous listing of various peoples, including the Dehavites, lends historical verisimilitude to the biblical account. It demonstrates the biblical authors' engagement with the socio-political realities of their time, showing how divine history unfolds within concrete human circumstances.
5. **The Broader Conflict:** The Dehavites, along with their confederates, are participants in the ongoing spiritual conflict between the forces that seek to advance God's kingdom and those that resist it. Their role, though minor, is a testament to the pervasive nature of this opposition throughout salvation history.
### Summary
The Aramaic term `{{H1723}}` (דַּהֲוָא, *Dahăvâʼ*), or "Dehavites," refers to a people group of uncertain origin who were forcibly resettled in Samaria by Assyrian imperial policy. Appearing only once in [[Ezra 4:9]], they are identified as part of a coalition of diverse peoples who actively opposed the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple by the returning Jewish exiles. Their significance lies not in their prominence, but in their representation of the external adversaries who sought to hinder God's work of restoration. The Dehavites serve as a historical witness to the challenges faced by the post-exilic community and underscore the biblical theme of persistent opposition to divine purposes, ultimately overcome by God's sovereign will.
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