Samaritan vs. Samarian — What's the Difference?

The term Samaritan primarily identifies a member of a distinct religious and ethnic community that historically resides in the region of Samaria, noted for their unique version of the Pentateuch and distinct religious practices. In contrast, Samarian broadly describes any individual who hails from Samaria, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation. This region, historically significant, is located in the northern part of the West Bank.

Samaritans maintain a religious identity deeply rooted in their own interpretation of the Torah, emphasizing rituals such as Passover sacrifices performed at Mount Gerizim. On the other hand, Samarians are not defined by any specific religious practices but are rather identified by their geographic location. This geographical identity encompasses a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds.

Historically, the term Samaritan has also taken on a metaphorical meaning in broader culture, epitomized by the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, which portrays a Samaritan as a figure of kindness and compassion. Meanwhile, the term Samarian does not carry such connotations and is rarely used outside the context of discussing geographical or historical matters concerning the region of Samaria.

The Samaritan community today numbers in the few hundreds, primarily concentrated around areas like Nablus and the city of Holon, preserving their ancient heritage and practices. Conversely, the term Samarian refers to the general population of Samaria, which includes Palestinians and, historically, other ethnic groups that have lived in the area over millennia.

While Samaritans have a distinct language that is a variation of ancient Hebrew, known as Samaritan Hebrew, Samarians typically speak the languages prevalent in the region, such as Arabic, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape of the Middle East rather than a unique linguistic group.