Tartak

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

TARTAK . An idol introduced by the Avvites into Samaria when Sargon of Assyria transported them thither (  2 Kings 17:31 ). This deity is mentioned along with another called Nibhaz , and, according to the Babylonian Talmud, was worshipped in the form of an ass. In Assyro-Babylonian mythology no such deity is at present provable; moreover, the geographical position of the Avvites is uncertain, and their city may have been in one of the western States of Asia. The Greek text ‘A’ replaces Tartak by Naibas , but this may be merely a corruption of Nibhaz .

T. G. Pinches.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Idol of the Avvite colonists planted by Esarhaddon in Samaria ( 2 Kings 17:31). Worshipped under the form of a donkey (Talmud Bab. Sanhedrin, 63 b.). In Egyptian hieroglyphics the donkey symbolizes Tartak (Plutarch Isaiah and Os. 14). Tartak may be of Persian origin, meaning "the prince of darkness", belonging to the under world or some planet of ill fortune. The Carmanians worshipped Mars with a donkey ( 2 Kings 17:31). In Ρehlevi Tar Thakh means "deep darkness", "hero of darkness".

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Tar'tak. (Prince Of Darkness). One of the gods, of the Avite or Avvite colonists of Samaria.  2 Kings 17:31. According to rabbinical tradition, Tartak is said to have been worshipped, under the form of an ass.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A god of the Avite colonists in Samaria.  2 Kings 17:31 . The word is supposed to signify 'darkness,' or the under-world.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

An idol, introduced by the Avites into Samaria,  2 Kings 17:31 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 2 Kings 17:31

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 2 Kings 17:31

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Tartak', תִּרתָֹּק ; Sept. Θαρθάκ ; Vulg. Tharthac ), one of the gods of the Avite, or Avvite, colonists who were planted in the cities of Samaria after the removal of the tribes by Shalmaneser ( 2 Kings 17:31). According to Rabbinical tradition, T'artak is said to have been worshipped inder the form of au ass (Talm. Babyl. Sanhedrin, fol. 63 b). From this it has been conjectured that this idol was the Egyptian Typho; but; though in the hieroglyphics the ass is the symbol of Typho, it was so far from being regarded as an object of worship that it was considered absolutely unclean (Plutarch, Is. Et Os. c. 14). A Persian or Pehlvi origin has been suggested for Tartak, according to which it signifies either "intense darkness," or "hero of darkness," or the underworld, and so, perhaps, some planet of ill- luck, as Saturn or Mars (Gesenius, Thesaur. s.v.; F Ü rst, Handw. S.V. ). The Carmaniails, a warlike race on the Persian Gulf, worshipped Mars alone of all the gods, and sacrificed an ass in his honor (Strabo, 15:727). Perhaps some trace of this worship may have given rise to the Jewish tradition.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

tar´tak ( תּתתּק , tartāḳ ): In   2 Kings 17:31 mentioned as the name of an idol of the Avvites, one of the peoples sent by Shalmaneser to the cities of Samaria. It is otherwise unknown.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Tar´tak, an idol of the Avites, introduced by them into Samaria .