What was Cuth?

Cuth was a city or region in Mesopotamia mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 17:24, 30, as one of the places from which the king of Assyria relocated people to repopulate the cities of the northern kingdom of Israel after its fall. These relocated peoples brought their own gods and religious practices, including the worship of Nergal, the god of Cuth. The inhabitants of Cuth were called Cuthites, and their presence in Samaria contributed to the formation of a mixed-religious and ethnic population that later came to be known as the Samaritans.

The name “Cuth” (Hebrew: כּוּת Kuwth) is derived from Akkadian or Aramaic roots, and while its exact location remains debated, many scholars identify it with the city of Kutha in Babylonia, northeast of Babylon. The Greek Septuagint renders the name as Coutha.

Biblical References

• 2 Kings 17:24 (NIV) – “The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites.”

• 2 Kings 17:30 – “The men from Cuthah made Nergal their god.”

These passages frame Cuth as one of several Gentile cities from which exiled peoples were brought to Israel, marking the Assyrian strategy of population dislocation to suppress rebellion and assimilation.

Cross-references:

• Ezra 4:1-2 – The descendants of these resettled people later claimed to worship the Lord, though their worship was syncretistic.

• John 4:9 – This historical mixing of peoples helps explain the deep-rooted animosity between Jews and Samaritans in the time of Jesus.

What Happened in the Bible?

Following the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, the king of Assyria (likely Sargon II or Shalmaneser V) deported many Israelites and replaced them with people from various parts of the empire, including Cuth. These new settlers brought their own deities and worship practices into the land of Israel. The people from Cuth worshipped Nergal, a Mesopotamian god associated with war, plague, and the underworld.

Because the new inhabitants did not initially fear the Lord, the Bible records that God sent lions among them (2 Kings 17:25). In response, the Assyrians attempted to integrate worship of the “god of the land” by sending an Israelite priest to teach them about the Lord. However, instead of true worship, the people adopted a form of syncretism, blending their pagan practices with a superficial acknowledgment of Yahweh.

Thus, the inclusion of Cuth in the biblical narrative is part of a larger warning about compromised worship, false religion, and the consequences of disobedience to God’s covenant.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Cuth serves as a symbolic reminder of the dangers of spiritual compromise and cultural assimilation. The inhabitants of Cuth brought their own gods into the land God had given to His people. Rather than repenting and turning to the one true God, they attempted to combine their beliefs with the worship of Yahweh—an act God does not accept.

Modern Christians are often tempted to adopt the values and practices of the surrounding culture, merging them with biblical faith. The example of the Cuthites warns against syncretism and calls believers to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), not by blending biblical Christianity with worldly philosophies or idolatrous traditions.

How Cuth Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The resettlement of the people of Cuth in Israel and their failed attempt to truly worship Yahweh reveal the deep human need for a true mediator and perfect revelation of God. The priest sent from Israel to teach them did not lead to true worship, because external instruction without heart transformation is insufficient.

Jesus Christ, the true High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), came not only to teach but to redeem and regenerate. He brings salvation not just to Israelites, but also to Gentiles—even to those descended from the very peoples like the Cuthites who once brought idolatry into the land.

In John 4, Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman—part of a people descended from the mixed settlers including Cuthites. Instead of rejecting her, He reveals Himself to her as the Messiah and offers living water. This encounter is a powerful demonstration of how the gospel overcomes historic hostility, religious confusion, and cultural barriers.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Exile and Judgment

Cuth appears in the context of divine judgment upon Israel for their idolatry. God allowed foreign nations, including the Cuthites, to take their place. This illustrates the seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness.

2. Idolatry and Syncretism

The worship of Nergal alongside Yahweh shows the persistence of idolatry even when people attempt to acknowledge God. The Bible repeatedly condemns this blending of truth with error (Deuteronomy 12:30-32; Revelation 2:14).

3. The Sovereignty of God

God orchestrates history—even the actions of empires like Assyria—to fulfill His purposes. While Assyria acted for political reasons, God used these events to execute judgment and prepare for future redemption.

4. God’s Heart for the Nations

Though the Cuthites initially worshipped false gods, God did not abandon them entirely. The presence of a teaching priest and the eventual gospel reaching Samaria show that God‘s redemptive plan includes all nations.

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways do I try to blend my faith in God with worldly beliefs or practices?

2. What idols (whether of the heart or culture) might I need to turn away from to worship God wholeheartedly?

3. How does Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman encourage me to reach out to those from different backgrounds or beliefs?

4. Am I faithfully upholding the truth of Scripture, or am I tempted to compromise for the sake of acceptance?

5. How does understanding God’s sovereignty in history strengthen my trust in Him today?

Cuth may seem like a minor place in Scripture, but its mention carries weighty lessons about faithfulness, compromise, judgment, and redemption. From the errors of the Cuthites, believers today are urged to worship God alone—and from the grace shown to their descendants, we see that no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s redeeming love.