### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term Tartâq (תַּרְתָּק, `{{H8662}}`) is a proper noun, specifically the name of a pagan deity worshipped by the Avvites. As a proper noun, it does not possess a semantic range in the typical sense of a common noun or verb. Its base definition indicates it is "of foreign derivation," implying that its etymology and original meaning are not rooted in Hebrew and remain obscure or unknown from a biblical perspective. While its precise etymological meaning is lost to us, its function within the biblical text is clear: it represents an object of idolatrous worship, standing in direct opposition to the exclusive worship of Yahweh.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Tartak appears in the Hebrew Bible in a singular, yet highly significant, context: [[2 Kings 17:31]]. This passage describes the resettlement of Samaria by various foreign peoples whom the king of Assyria brought in after the deportation of the Israelites from the Northern Kingdom. These new inhabitants, including the people from Avva (the Avvites), continued to worship their native gods alongside a superficial reverence for Yahweh, leading to a profound religious syncretism.
Specifically, [[2 Kings 17:31]] states, "and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak." This verse places Tartak alongside Nibhaz as one of the two deities worshipped by the Avvites. The broader context of 2 Kings 17 details the spiritual apostasy that led to Israel's exile and highlights the subsequent idolatrous practices introduced by the new inhabitants of Samaria. The passage serves as a stark commentary on the dangers of syncretism and the spiritual confusion that arises when the worship of the one true God is mingled with the worship of false deities. The mention of Tartak, therefore, is not merely an ethnographic detail but an integral part of the biblical narrative illustrating the pervasive nature of idolatry in the ancient Near East and its direct challenge to the covenantal demands of Yahweh.
### Related Words & Concepts
Tartak is closely related to several other pagan deities mentioned in the same chapter of 2 Kings 17, all of whom represent the diverse pantheons brought into Samaria by the foreign settlers. These include Sukoth-benoth (worshipped by the Babylonians), Nergal (by the Cuthites), Ashima (by the Hamathites), Nibhaz (alongside Tartak by the Avvites), Adrammelech and Anammelech (by the Sepharvites).
The concept of "foreign gods" (אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, *ʾĕlōhîm ʾăḥērîm*) is a pervasive theme throughout the Old Testament, against which Yahweh's unique sovereignty is constantly affirmed. Tartak falls squarely into this category. The worship of Tartak is also intrinsically linked to the broader biblical concepts of idolatry (עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, *ʿăvôdâ zārâ*, "strange worship") and syncretism, which is the blending of religious beliefs and practices. The Avvites themselves (`{{H5757}}`) are identified as the specific group associated with this deity, emphasizing the tribal and nationalistic nature of ancient polytheism. This narrative stands in direct contrast to the monotheistic demands of the Mosaic Covenant, particularly the First Commandment ([[Exodus 20:3]]) and the Second Commandment ([[Exodus 20:4-6]]), which forbid the worship of other gods and the making of idols.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Tartak lies not in its own inherent power or nature—for it is presented as a mere human construct—but in what its mention reveals about the nature of God and the nature of true worship. The inclusion of Tartak in the biblical record serves several crucial theological purposes:
1. **Exclusivity of Yahweh:** The presence of deities like Tartak highlights the absolute exclusivity of Yahweh. The narrative of 2 Kings 17 underscores that Yahweh does not share His glory or His worship with other gods. The mixing of Yahweh worship with the veneration of Tartak and other pagan deities was an abomination in God's eyes, leading to divine judgment.
2. **Condemnation of Idolatry:** Tartak stands as an emblem of the futility and spiritual danger of idolatry. The biblical text consistently portrays idols as "no gods" ([[Isaiah 44:9-20]]; [[Jeremiah 10:1-16]]), lifeless creations of human hands that cannot save or deliver. The worship of Tartak represents a turning away from the living God to dead images.
3. **Consequences of Syncretism:** The worship of Tartak by the Avvites, alongside a superficial acknowledgment of Yahweh, illustrates the destructive nature of religious syncretism. It demonstrates that a divided heart and compromised worship lead to spiritual confusion, divine displeasure, and ultimately, a failure to truly know or serve God.
4. **Sovereignty of God over Nations:** Even in detailing the pagan practices of foreign peoples, the biblical narrative implicitly asserts Yahweh's sovereignty over all nations and their deities. The events leading to the resettlement of Samaria were under Yahweh's providential control, even if the new inhabitants failed to recognize Him fully.
### Summary
Tartak (תַּרְתָּק, `{{H8662}}`) is a proper noun identifying a pagan deity worshipped by the Avvites, a people resettled in Samaria after the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Its etymology is foreign and obscure. Appearing solely in [[2 Kings 17:31]], Tartak serves as a clear example of the idolatrous practices and religious syncretism that characterized the new inhabitants of Samaria. Theologically, its mention underscores the biblical condemnation of idolatry, the exclusive nature of Yahweh's demand for worship, and the severe consequences of blending true worship with the veneration of false gods. Tartak, therefore, represents a stark contrast to the singular, sovereign, and living God of Israel.
TRV