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Sepharvaim

Locations
Modern Location Sippar, Iraq
Coordinates 32.4611, 44.4400

Geographical Setting

An ancient Mesopotamian city located on the Euphrates River, identified with the archaeological site of Sippar.

What is the meaning of Sepharvaim in the Bible?

Sepharvaim is a city mentioned in the biblical books of Kings and Isaiah, widely identified by scholars with Sippar based on Assyrian-Babylonian inscriptions, although some debate persists regarding specific deity associations and administrative details.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the identification of Sepharvaim with Sippar clarifies the historical context of the Assyrian deportation policies described in the biblical narrative, linking the text to specific geopolitical realities of the ancient Near East.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Sepharvaim (located near modern Sippar, Iraq) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Sepharvaim in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Sepharvaim 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

"Sepharvaim." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sepharvaim/
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