(Aramaic) from a name of foreign derivation; a Tarpelite (collectively) or inhabitants of Tarpel, a place in Assyria; Tarpelites. y
Transliteration:Ṭarpᵉlay
Pronunciation:tar-pel-ah'-ee
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term `{{H2967}}` (Ṭarpᵉlay) designates the inhabitants of a place named Tarpel, likely a region or city within the Assyrian Empire. As indicated by its definition, the word itself is of "foreign derivation," suggesting it is an ethnonym or toponym adopted into Aramaic. Its semantic range is narrow, functioning primarily as a collective noun to identify a specific people group. It carries no inherent theological or moral connotations beyond its use as a geographical and ethnic identifier. The precise location of Tarpel remains a subject of scholarly discussion, but its association with other peoples deported by Assyria places it within the broader Mesopotamian sphere of influence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H2967}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Aramaic section of the book of Ezra:
* [[Ezra 4:9]]: "Then wrote Rehum the commander, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, and the rest of the peoples whom the great and noble Osnappar had deported and settled in the city of Samaria and in the rest of the region Beyond the River."
In this sole occurrence, the Tarpelites are listed among various ethnic groups whom the Assyrian king Esarhaddon (referred to as "Osnappar" in some traditions, or possibly a later king like Ashurbanipal, who continued similar policies) had deported and resettled in Samaria. This resettlement policy, initiated by Tiglath-Pileser III and continued by Sargon II and Esarhaddon, aimed to break the nationalistic spirit of conquered peoples and integrate them into the Assyrian imperial structure. The Tarpelites, along with the other listed peoples, formed the new population of Samaria, effectively becoming progenitors of the later Samaritans. Their inclusion in this list in Ezra is crucial because these groups collectively opposed the Jewish community's efforts to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, highlighting the complex ethnic and political landscape of the post-exilic period.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Tarpelites are contextually linked to several key concepts and other terms:
* **Assyrian Deportation Policy:** The presence of the Tarpelites in Samaria is a direct result of Assyrian imperial strategy, which involved mass deportations and population transfers ([[2 Kings 17:24-34]]). This policy aimed to prevent rebellion and consolidate control.
* **Other Ethnic Groups in Ezra 4:9:** The Tarpelites are enumerated alongside the Dinaites, Apharsathchites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites, Dehavites, and Elamites. These are all foreign peoples who contributed to the diverse population of Samaria.
* **Samaritans:** Over time, the intermingling of these foreign peoples with the remnant of Israelites who remained in the land formed the distinct Samaritan community, whose religious and ethnic identity became a source of tension with the returning Jewish exiles.
* **Opposition to Rebuilding:** The primary role of these groups in the narrative of Ezra is their collective opposition to the rebuilding of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. This opposition is a recurring theme in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
* **Aramaic Language:** As an Aramaic word, `{{H2967}}` fits within the linguistic context of the Aramaic sections of Ezra (e.g., [[Ezra 4:8]] to [[Ezra 6:18]] and [[Ezra 7:12-26]]), which reflect the diplomatic and administrative language of the Persian Empire.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H2967}}` itself is a descriptive ethnonym, its singular appearance in the biblical narrative carries significant theological weight through its context:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Nations:** The presence of the Tarpelites and other foreign peoples in the land of Israel, even as adversaries, underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and their historical movements. The Assyrian deportations, though seemingly acts of human power, were ultimately within the scope of God's overarching plan for His people, shaping the conditions for their subsequent return and restoration.
* **Obstacles to God's Work:** The Tarpelites, as part of the coalition opposing the temple's reconstruction, represent the spiritual and practical resistance that God's people often face when attempting to fulfill His divine purposes. This narrative highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for perseverance and divine intervention in the face of opposition.
* **Purity and Identity of Israel:** The influx of these foreign populations, including the Tarpelites, and their eventual intermarriage with the remaining Israelites (as seen in Nehemiah's reforms, e.g., [[Nehemiah 13:23-27]]) posed a significant challenge to the distinct identity and religious purity of the returning Jewish exiles. This tension served to define and refine the post-exilic community's commitment to the Mosaic covenant and their unique calling as God's chosen people.
* **Historical Fulfillment:** The re-population of Samaria by diverse foreign groups, including the Tarpelites, is a historical consequence of Israel's sin and subsequent exile, illustrating the outworking of covenant curses. Yet, their presence also sets the stage for the narrative of restoration, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises even amidst the complexities of historical change.
### Summary
The Aramaic word `{{H2967}}` (Ṭarpᵉlay) refers to the inhabitants of Tarpel, a people group of foreign derivation. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Ezra 4:9]] identifies them as one of the diverse populations whom the Assyrians resettled in Samaria. These Tarpelites, along with other foreign groups, became adversaries to the returning Jewish exiles, actively opposing the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Although a simple ethnonym, the contextual placement of `{{H2967}}` illuminates crucial theological themes: God's sovereignty over the nations, the reality of opposition to divine work, and the challenges to Israel's identity and purity in the post-exilic period. The Tarpelites serve as a historical marker of the complex ethnic and political landscape that shaped the narrative of Israel's restoration.
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