The 18th World Congress of Jewish Studies

Ashkenaz, the Son of Gomer: The Scythians in the Bible and in the History of the Land of Israel

Dr Pawel Szkolut

Scythians, a nation that inhabited the area of ​​Eastern Europe north of the Caucasus, who ruled over it from the 8th to the 3rd century BCE, and in the Crimea until the 3rd century CE. They created a huge state that was characterized by military and economic power. The Scythians were excellent warriors and archers, and their cultural importance is evidenced by numerous magnificent tombs-burial mounds and art.

We know the most about the Scythians from the work of Herodotus "The History". They played a huge role in the history of both Eastern and Central Europe, the Caucasus and the history of the Middle East. They influenced the latter especially in the 7th century BCE during the invasions of the countries of Media, Persia, Babylonia, Syria and Palestine, reaching the border of Egypt, whose ruler Psamtik I bribed them with gifts.

A literary echo of these events is recorded in the book of the prophet Jeremiah (1:13-15; 50:41-42; 51:27-28). It is written about the Scythians there, among others in the speech against the kingdom of Babylon. The name Ashkenaz in the latter passages refers to the Scythians. This name is first mentioned in Genesis 10:3, where it is stated that Ashkenaz was the son of Gomer.

In the history of the land of Israel and its neighbors, the name of this people survived in the name of the city of Scythopolis (Beth Shean) - one of the cities of the Decapolis. The origin of this city`s name has two explanations. Firstly, it is related to the fact that this city may have been conquered by the Scythians in the 7th century during their invasions in the Middle East. The second interpretation refers to the Hellenistic times, when Scythian mercenaries were stationed in this city, then called Nysa.

In the New Testament, the name "Scythian" appears once - in the epistle of the Apostle Paul to Colossians 3:15. This quotation shows that in the 1st century CE the Scythians were still present on the scene of the ancient world’s life and history.