The term "Ashurite" appears in the context of the Old Testament, specifically within the historical narratives of the Israelite monarchy. The Ashurites are mentioned in 2 Samuel 2:9, where they are listed among the groups over which Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, was made king by Abner, the commander of Saul's army. The Berean Standard Bible renders this passage as follows: "He made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel."

The identification of the Ashurites is somewhat ambiguous, as the term is not frequently used in the biblical text. Some scholars suggest that "Ashurite" may refer to a group or region associated with the tribe of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Asher was allotted territory in the northern part of the Promised Land, as described in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 19:24-31). This region included fertile lands along the Mediterranean coast, which were known for their agricultural productivity.

Alternatively, some interpretations propose that the term "Ashurite" could be linked to the Assyrians, given the phonetic similarity between "Ashur" and "Asshur," the latter being a name often associated with the Assyrian empire. However, this connection is less likely in the context of 2 Samuel, as the Assyrians were a distinct and separate entity from the Israelite tribes during the time of Ish-bosheth's reign.

The mention of the Ashurites in 2 Samuel 2:9 highlights the fragmented nature of the Israelite kingdom following the death of King Saul. Ish-bosheth's rule, established by Abner, was limited to certain regions, indicating a division between the northern tribes and those who supported David as king over Judah. This division underscores the political and tribal complexities within Israel during this period of transition from the rule of Saul to the establishment of David's united monarchy.

In summary, while the precise identity of the Ashurites remains uncertain, their inclusion in the biblical narrative serves to illustrate the broader geopolitical landscape of ancient Israel and the challenges faced by its leaders in unifying the nation under a single monarchy.839. ashur -- perhaps boxwood (a kind of wood)
... Ashurite. Contracted for t'ashshuwr; the cedar tree or some other light elastic
wood -- Ashurite. see HEBREW t'ashshuwr. 838, 839. ashur or ashurim. 840 . ...
/hebrew/839.htm - 6k

805. Ashuwriy -- descendant of Asshur, also a region of Isr.
... Or iashshuwriy {ash-shoo-ree'}; from a patrial word of the same form as 'Ashshuwr;
an Ashurite (collectively) or inhabitant of Ashur, a district in Palestine ...
/hebrew/805.htm - 5k

Ashurite (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ashurite (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 2:9 and he made
him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over ...
/a/ashurite.htm - 6k

Ashurim (1 Occurrence)

/a/ashurim.htm - 6k

Ashurites (2 Occurrences)

/a/ashurites.htm - 8k

Causeth (209 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 2:9 and causeth him to reign over Gilead, and over the Ashurite, and over
Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over Israel -- all of it. ...
/c/causeth.htm - 38k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus