The Assyrians were a prominent ancient Semitic people who played a significant role in the history of the Near East and are frequently mentioned in the Bible. Their empire, centered in what is now northern Iraq, was one of the most powerful and influential of the ancient world, known for its military prowess, architectural achievements, and administrative innovations.

Historical Background

The Assyrian Empire reached its zenith between the 9th and 7th centuries BC, during which it expanded its territory through a series of military campaigns. The capital cities of Assyria, such as Nineveh, Ashur, and Nimrud, became centers of culture and power. The Assyrians are noted for their advanced military strategies, including the use of iron weapons and siege tactics, which allowed them to conquer vast territories.

Biblical References

The Bible frequently references the Assyrians, often in the context of their interactions with the Israelites and other neighboring peoples. The Assyrians are depicted as instruments of God's judgment against the nations, including Israel and Judah, due to their disobedience and idolatry.

1. Assyrian Conquest of Israel: The Assyrians are most notably recognized for their 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.

2. Threat to Judah: The Assyrians also posed a significant threat to the southern kingdom of Judah. King Sennacherib's campaign against Judah is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37. Despite the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, God miraculously delivered the city. Isaiah 37:36 states, "Then 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!"

3. Prophetic Warnings and Judgments: The prophets frequently spoke of Assyria in their oracles. Isaiah, for instance, prophesied about the Assyrian threat and eventual downfall. In Isaiah 10:5-6 , God refers to Assyria as "the rod of My anger" used to punish a "godless nation," yet He also promises judgment upon Assyria for its arrogance and cruelty.

4. Nineveh's Repentance: The book of Jonah provides a unique narrative concerning the Assyrians. God sends Jonah to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, to call the city to repentance. Jonah 3:5 records the response: "And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least." This account highlights God's mercy and willingness to forgive even the most feared enemies of Israel.

Cultural and Religious Influence

The Assyrians were known for their polytheistic religion, worshiping gods such as Ashur, Ishtar, and Marduk. Their religious practices and cultural achievements, including impressive architectural structures like the ziggurats and the extensive library of Ashurbanipal, left a lasting impact on the region.

Legacy

The Assyrian Empire eventually fell to the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC, marking the end of their dominance. However, their influence persisted in the cultural and historical memory of the region. The Assyrians are remembered in the Bible as both a formidable adversary and a tool used by God to fulfill His divine purposes.ASSYRIANS

a-sir'-i-ans ('ashshur): The inhabitants of Assyria. In Hebrew the name of the people is the same as that of the country. See ASSYRIA.

804. Ashshuwr -- step, going
... 803, 804. Ashshuwr. 804a . step, going. Transliteration: Ashshuwr Phonetic
Spelling: (ash-shoor') Short Definition: Asshur. Asshur, Assur, Assyria, Assyrians ...
/hebrew/804.htm - 5k

804b. Ashshur -- the second son of Shem, also the people of Asshur ...
... NASB Word Usage Asshur (5), Assyria (132), Assyrian (5), Assyrians (6), Assyrians*
(3). 804a, 804b. Ashshur. 805 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/804b.htm - 5k

1121. ben -- son
... Definition son NASB Word Usage afflicted (1), afflicted* (1), age (7), aliens*
(2), Ammonites* (7), anointed* (1), arrow (1), arrows (1), Assyrians* (3), baby ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

The Invasion of the Assyrians
... THE INVASION OF THE ASSYRIANS. ... Indeed, many chapters of Isaiah's prophecies speak
altogether of this invasion of the Assyrians and their destruction. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvii the invasion of.htm

How Abram Fought with the Assyrians, and Overcame Them, and Saved ...
... CHAPTER 10. How Abram Fought With The Assyrians, And Overcame Them, And Saved The
Sodomite Prisoners, And Took From The Assyrians The Prey They Had Gotten. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how abram fought.htm

Psalm 76. Israel Saved, and the Assyrians Destroyed; Or, God's ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 76. Israel saved, and the Assyrians destroyed;
or, God's vengeance against his enemies proceeds from his church. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 76 israel saved and.htm

Psalm 76 Israel Saved, and the Assyrians Destroyed.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 76 Israel saved, and the Assyrians destroyed. CM Israel
saved, and the Assyrians destroyed. In Judah God of old was known; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 76 israel saved and.htm

How the Israelites after this Misfortune Grew Wicked and Served ...
... CHAPTER 3. How The Israelites After This Misfortune Grew Wicked And Served The
Assyrians; And How God Delivered Them By Othniel, Who Ruled Over The Forty Years ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how the israelites.htm

The Destruction of the Sodomites by the Assyrian Wall.
... At this time, when the Assyrians had the dominion over Asia, the people of Sodom
were in a flourishing condition, both as to riches and the number of their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 the destruction of.htm

The History after the Flood.
... Shinar. And their king was called Nebroth [Nimrod]. From these came Asshur,
from whom also the Assyrians receive their name. And ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxi the history after the.htm

Celsus, Being of Opinion that There is to be Found among Many ...
... And this applies not to the Egyptians alone, but to others; for we shall find that
there was a connection between the Assyrians and the Jews, and that this is ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiv celsus being of.htm

England's Strength
... It follows out the story which you heard in the first lesson for last Sunday
afternoon, of the invasion of Judea by the Assyrians. ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xiv englands strength.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Birth and Achievements of Christ.
... the child learn to call father or mother, he shall receive the power of Damascus
and the spoils of Samaria, in opposition to the king of the Assyrians." [1254] ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter ix of the prophecies of.htm

Assyrians (15 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASSYRIANS. a-sir'-i-ans ('ashshur): The inhabitants
of Assyria. ... See ASSYRIA. Multi-Version Concordance Assyrians (15 Occurrences). ...
/a/assyrians.htm - 11k

Assyrian (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:35 It happened that night, that the angel of Yahweh went out, and struck
one hundred eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. ...
/a/assyrian.htm - 12k

Library
... treasures. III. Writing-Materials. Fortunately for us the ordinary
writing-material of the Babylonians and Assyrians was clay. It ...
/l/library.htm - 16k

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)
... in 667 BC, he must have mounted the throne about 693 BC 3. A Chronological Difficulty
The engagement between Tirhakah's army and the Assyrians is regarded as ...
/t/tirhakah.htm - 11k

Doted (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:5 Oholah played the prostitute when she was mine; and she doted on her
lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors, (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV). ...
/d/doted.htm - 8k

Habakkuk (3 Occurrences)
... place after 2:4. According to this interpretation the outline is as follows:
1:2-4: Oppression of the righteous Jews by the wicked Assyrians (Budde) or ...
/h/habakkuk.htm - 26k

Omri (16 Occurrences)
... 2. The Founding of Samaria: The superior strategic importance of Samaria is evidenced
by the sieges it endured repeatedly by the Syrians and Assyrians. ...
/o/omri.htm - 20k

Neighbours (34 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS BBE DBY). Ezekiel 23:5 And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine;
and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours, (KJV BBE DBY). ...
/n/neighbours.htm - 16k

Chariot (102 Occurrences)
... war-chariot"; harma): 1. Chariots of Egypt 2. Chariots of the Canaanites 3. Chariots
of Solomon and Later Kings 4. Chariots of the Assyrians 5. Chariots of ...
/c/chariot.htm - 55k

Damascus (58 Occurrences)
... The Syrians were at length subdued by the Assyrians, the city of Damascus was taken
and destroyed, and the inhabitants carried captive into Assyria (2 Kings 16 ...
/d/damascus.htm - 45k

Who were the Assyrians in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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