Mr. Collins,
MANASSEH: ALLIES IN THE MODERN WORLD, you state that
the deportation of the ½ tribe of Manasseh was in 741
BC.
What sources do
you have for that date?
- “The tribe of Manasseh came to be one of the dominant
tribes of the Scythians, and the Greeks called them the Massagetae. These
Massagetae were located in the Caspian Sea region, and they were, I believe, the
descendants of the half-tribe of Manasseh taken captive by the Assyrians in
approximately 741 BC when
taken by the Assyrians.”
Dear Steve,
The source I have for the
“approximately 741 BC” date during which half of the tribe of Manasseh went
captive is a comparison of II Kings 15:27-31 and 17:1-6. The capital of Israel,
Samaria, fell to the Assyrians circa 721 BC during the reign of King Hoshea of
Israel (II Kings 17:1-6). II Kings 15:27-31 records that a previous invasion of
Israel by the Assyrians during the reign of King Pekah of Israel resulted in the
captivity of about 1/3rd of the tribes of the northern kingdom. In the earlier
invasion, the tribe of Naphtali was entirely taken captive as were the tribes
living in “Gilead.” Gilead was the homeland of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and
half the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:1-2, 33). While Gad, Reuben and half the
tribe of Manasseh are not mentioned by name in II Kings 15:27-31, the word
“Gilead” identifies the homelands of these tribes. Gilead was the region of the
old Promised Land that was east of the Jordan River.
“approximately 741 BC” date during which half of the tribe of Manasseh went
captive is a comparison of II Kings 15:27-31 and 17:1-6. The capital of Israel,
Samaria, fell to the Assyrians circa 721 BC during the reign of King Hoshea of
Israel (II Kings 17:1-6). II Kings 15:27-31 records that a previous invasion of
Israel by the Assyrians during the reign of King Pekah of Israel resulted in the
captivity of about 1/3rd of the tribes of the northern kingdom. In the earlier
invasion, the tribe of Naphtali was entirely taken captive as were the tribes
living in “Gilead.” Gilead was the homeland of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and
half the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:1-2, 33). While Gad, Reuben and half the
tribe of Manasseh are not mentioned by name in II Kings 15:27-31, the word
“Gilead” identifies the homelands of these tribes. Gilead was the region of the
old Promised Land that was east of the Jordan River.
Since Hoshea ruled nine years before
Samaria fell and the siege of Samaria took three years, we have 12 years in that
total. King Pekah ruled 20 years over Israel, but it is not stated in II Kings
145:29 in which year of his rule the tribes of Naphtali and those in Gilead were
taken captive. It just says “in the days of Pekah king of Israel” this earlier
captivity of Israelites took place. If this occurred in the middle of his reign,
it would mean the earlier captivity of the half-tribe of Manasseh took place
20-22 years prior to the fall of Samaria. That is the reason I stated it
was “approximately 20 years.” It may have been a few years more or a few years
less than 20 years.
Samaria fell and the siege of Samaria took three years, we have 12 years in that
total. King Pekah ruled 20 years over Israel, but it is not stated in II Kings
145:29 in which year of his rule the tribes of Naphtali and those in Gilead were
taken captive. It just says “in the days of Pekah king of Israel” this earlier
captivity of Israelites took place. If this occurred in the middle of his reign,
it would mean the earlier captivity of the half-tribe of Manasseh took place
20-22 years prior to the fall of Samaria. That is the reason I stated it
was “approximately 20 years.” It may have been a few years more or a few years
less than 20 years.
Steve
