A city named in 2Ki 18:34; 19:13; Isa 37:13, along with Sepharvaim and Hena, as conquered by the Assyrians. Its real name and location are both uncertain. It is frequently identified with Avva of 2Ki 17:24. Some would make it the name not of a city but of a god. See, further, art. Hena.
The king of Assyria brought men from Babylon and from Cuthah and from Avva and from Hamath and Sephar-vaim, and settled them in the cities of Samaria in place of the sons of Israel. So they possessed Samaria and lived in its cities.
'Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand?
'Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, and of Hena and Ivvah?'"
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