Topical Encyclopedia Assyria, an ancient Mesopotamian empire, plays a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Old Testament. Known for its military prowess and expansive empire, Assyria is often depicted as an instrument of God's judgment against the nations, including Israel and Judah.Historical Background Assyria was located in the northern part of Mesopotamia, with its heartland in what is now modern-day northern Iraq. The empire reached its zenith between the 9th and 7th centuries BC, under rulers such as Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, Sennacherib, and Ashurbanipal. The capital cities of Assyria included Ashur, Nineveh, and later, Calah (Nimrud). Assyria in the Bible 1. Judgment and Prophecy: Assyria is frequently mentioned in the prophetic books of the Bible as a tool of divine judgment. The prophets Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, among others, speak of Assyria's role in God's plan to discipline His people. Isaiah 10:5-6 states, "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets." 2. Conquest of Israel: Assyria's most notable biblical action is the conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 2 Kings 17:6 , it is recorded, "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes." This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and the beginning of the Assyrian captivity. 3. Threat to Judah: Assyria also posed a significant threat to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. King Sennacherib's invasion during the reign of King Hezekiah is a prominent biblical account. In 2 Kings 19:35 , the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem is described: "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" 4. Nineveh and Jonah: The city of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, is central to the account of the prophet Jonah. God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and call the city to repentance. Jonah 3:4-5 recounts, "On the first day of his journey, Jonah set out into the city and proclaimed, 'Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!' And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least." 5. Fall of Assyria: Despite its might, Assyria's fall was prophesied by Nahum and Zephaniah. Nahum 3:7 declares, "All who see you will flee from you, saying, 'Nineveh is devastated; who will mourn for her?' Where can I find anyone to comfort you?" The empire eventually fell to the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC, marking the end of Assyrian dominance. Theological Significance Assyria's role in the Bible underscores themes of divine sovereignty and judgment. The Assyrian empire, despite its power, was ultimately subject to God's will. The biblical narrative uses Assyria to demonstrate that God can use even the most formidable nations to accomplish His purposes, and yet, He holds them accountable for their actions. The account of Assyria serves as a reminder of God's justice and mercy, as seen in the repentance of Nineveh and the deliverance of Jerusalem. Library A Farther Quotation from virgilius Maro Respecting Christ, with ... History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Nahum Power of Prayer. God the Joy-Bringer The History Books The Resurrection. The Prophet --His Youth and his Call. The Sovereignty of God in Operation The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Thesaurus Assyria's (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Assyria's (1 Occurrence). Zechariah 10:11 And He hath passed over through the sea, And hath pressed and ... /a/assyria's.htm - 6k Assyrians (15 Occurrences) Nineveh (23 Occurrences) Jareb (2 Occurrences) Astad Isaiah (64 Occurrences) Elamites (2 Occurrences) Elam (24 Occurrences) Hoshea (13 Occurrences) Chronology Resources When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is blasphemy? What does it mean to blaspheme? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Assyria's (1 Occurrence)Zechariah 10:11 Subtopics Related Terms |
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