Judaism is the religion of only one people - the Jews, but in the past there were non-Jewish peoples and ethnic groups who adhered to this faith.

These were the inhabitants of various Middle Eastern countries conquered or resettled by Neo-Assyrian Empire (an ancient Semitic state), including Babylonia. The non-Jewish settlers embraced Judaism, and after mingling with the Jews who remained in the area, they gave rise to a new ethnic group - the Samaritans.