סְפַרְוַ֫יִם (se.phar.va.yim)
se.phar.va.yim
Sepharvaim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun Sepharvaim refers to a specific city conquered by the Assyrian king, appearing six times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Second Kings and Isaiah. The name itself translates to "the two Sipparas," pointing to its geographical identity as a dual settlement or a city located on opposite banks of a waterway.
Lexical sources generally identify this location with the ancient Mesopotamian city of Sippara, situated near the Euphrates River. It is often placed between modern Baghdad and Babylon, possibly near the site known today as Mosaib. This identification highlights its role as a significant urban center in the region during the period of Assyrian expansion.
The term carries historical weight as part of the narrative regarding the deportation of foreign peoples into Samaria by the Assyrians. By naming this specific location, the text anchors the movement of populations and the introduction of new religious practices to the land of Israel within a concrete geographical context, rather than speaking in generalities about distant lands.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about Sepharvaim in the Bible, we are looking at a real place with real history. It was a city in ancient Mesopotamia, likely near the Euphrates River. The name means "the two Sipparas," suggesting it was a dual settlement or located on opposite banks of a waterway. This detail helps us see that the biblical writers cared about specific geography and history.
The text mentions this city when describing how Assyrian kings moved people around. They brought settlers from Sepharvaim to live in Samaria. This wasn't just random movement; it was a political strategy to mix populations and weaken local resistance. For us, this reminds us that God’s story unfolds in real cities with real people, not in abstract ideas.
Seeing these specific names helps ground our faith in history. It shows that the events of the Bible are tied to actual places on a map. We can trust that the God who was present in those ancient times is still present with us today. His care extends to every corner of the earth, no matter how distant or forgotten it may seem.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Sepharvaim5×
- and/ Sepharvaim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סְפַרְוָ֑יִם3×
- סְפַרְוָֽיִם\׃1×
- סְפַרְוַ֖יִם1×
- וּ/סְפַרְוַ֔יִם1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 17:24
The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, from Cuthah, from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they possessed Samaria and lived in its cities.
This verse records the deportation policy where settlers from Sepharvaim were placed in Samaria, showing the word's use to identify a specific source population.
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II Kings 17:31
and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
Here the text links the people of Sepharvaim to their specific gods, Adrammelech and Anammelech, highlighting the cultural and religious differences introduced by these settlers.
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Isaiah 36:19
Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand?
The Assyrian official uses the name rhetorically to challenge the faith of Jerusalem's defenders by listing foreign gods who failed to protect their own cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Sepharvaim mean?
Why is Sepharvaim mentioned in the Bible?
Where was Sepharvaim located?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)
II Kings 4 verses
The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, from Cuthah, from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed…
II Kings 17:31and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and…
II Kings 18:34Where are the gods of Hamath and of Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered…
II Kings 19:13Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?’”