SAMARIA Meaning and
Definition
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Samaria is a geographical and historical term that has different meanings depending on the context. Primarily, it refers to a region located in the central highlands of ancient Israel, approximately 40 miles north of Jerusalem. In this sense, Samaria was a significant ancient kingdom during the biblical period that emerged as the capital under the rule of King Omri around the 9th century BCE.
Additionally, Samaria can also refer to the principal city in this region, also called Samaria. It was built by King Omri and subsequently became the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The city of Samaria held political and religious importance, housing the royal palace, a temple dedicated to Ba'al, and serving as a symbol of Israelite sovereignty.
The term "Samaria" is often used in biblical and historical contexts to discuss numerous events and figures, such as the Prophets Elijah and Elisha's activities and the political struggles between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Eventually, the Assyrians conquered the region in 722 BCE, leading to the dispersion of the populations and the gradual decline of Samaria as a political and cultural center.
In contemporary usage, Samaria might be used in a more symbolic or metaphorical sense, referring to a contested or politically charged region, reminiscent of the historical conflicts for sovereignty and control.
Common Misspellings for SAMARIA
Etymology of SAMARIA
The word "Samaria" has its origins in ancient Semitic languages. It comes from the Hebrew term "Shomron", which is derived from the root word "shemer", meaning "watcher" or "guardian". The region of Samaria corresponds to the central hill country of ancient Israel, and was named after the ancient city of Samaria, which served as the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
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