Archevite
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Archevite in the Bible?
The Archevites were a population group relocated to Samaria by the Assyrian king Esarhaddon, originating from the city of Erech in Babylonia.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the foreign origins of the Samaritan population helps explain the religious syncretism and ethnic hostility recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah, clarifying why the returned exiles viewed the inhabitants of Samaria as unclean and unfit for temple reconstruction.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Archevite reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Archevite in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Archevite clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Archevite." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/archevite/