Arsareth
LocationsGeographical Setting
Arsareth is a toponym mentioned in the Second Book of Maccabees, identified as the distant homeland of the Scythian tribe from which the lost tribes of Israel are said to have originated.
What is the meaning of Arsareth in the Bible?
Arsareth is a geographical location cited in 2 Maccabees 1:2 as the land of the Scythians, where the exiled tribes of Israel are believed to have settled.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Arsareth helps readers understand the historical context of the letter sent by the Jews in Jerusalem to their brethren in Egypt, clarifying the geographical scope of the diaspora communities referenced in the text.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Arsareth in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Arsareth 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.