Samaria

City / town

The hilltop capital built by Omri for the northern kingdom of Israel, destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC; later the region whose people the Jews despised, and a first field of the gospel in Acts.

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Archaeology — physical evidence · 2

Life, role & deeds

BibleThe capital Omri built for the northern kingdom, whose fall in 722 BC ended the ten tribes.

1 Kings 16:24; 2 Kings 17:6

↳ Ahab · Omri

ArchaeologyThe royal acropolis of Samaria yielded a palace, the carved 'Samaria ivories', and administrative ostraca of the kingdom.

Samaria-Sebaste excavations (Harvard Expedition, G.A. Reisner, 1908-10; Joint Expedition, J.W. Crowfoot, 1931-35); Omride royal palace, the Samaria Ostraca, and the carved ivories (J.W. & G.M. Crowfoot, 'Early Ivories from Samaria', Palestine Exploration Fund, 1938).

ArchaeologyThe Harvard and Joint Expeditions uncovered the acropolis palace of the Omride kings and a hoard of carved ivories — the 'ivory house' Ahab is said to have built (1 Kings 22:39) and Amos denounced (Amos 6:4).

J. W. & G. M. Crowfoot, 'Early Ivories from Samaria' (Palestine Exploration Fund, 1938); G. A. Reisner et al., 'Harvard Excavations at Samaria' (Harvard, 1924).