Topical Encyclopedia Assyria, an ancient Mesopotamian empire, is frequently depicted in the Bible as a powerful and dominant force characterized by pride and arrogance. This portrayal is consistent with the historical understanding of Assyria as a formidable empire that exerted significant influence over the Near East from the 25th century BC until its fall in 609 BC. The Assyrian Empire reached its zenith during the 8th and 7th centuries BC, becoming a symbol of military prowess and imperial ambition.Biblical References to Assyria's Pride and Arrogance The Bible often highlights Assyria's pride and haughtiness, particularly in its interactions with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The prophet Isaiah provides a vivid depiction of Assyria's arrogance. In Isaiah 10:12-14 , the Lord speaks of Assyria's pride: "When the Lord has finished all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, 'I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes. For he says: 'By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one, I subdued their kings. As one reaches into a nest, so my hand reached for the wealth of the nations; as people gather abandoned eggs, so I gathered all the earth. And there was no one who flapped a wing or opened a mouth to chirp.'" This passage underscores the Assyrian king's self-exaltation and his belief in his own invincibility, attributing his conquests to his own strength and wisdom rather than acknowledging the sovereignty of God. Assyria's Role as an Instrument of Judgment Despite its pride, Assyria is depicted in the Bible as an instrument of divine judgment against the nations, including Israel. In Isaiah 10:5-6 , God refers to Assyria as "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 seize the spoil and snatch the plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets." Here, Assyria is used by God to execute judgment, yet its own arrogance and self-reliance ultimately lead to its downfall. The Downfall of Assyria The Bible prophesies the eventual downfall of Assyria due to its pride and defiance against God. In Nahum 3:1-7 , the prophet Nahum pronounces woe upon Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, describing its impending destruction: "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without prey. The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! Charging horseman, flashing sword, and glittering spear—many slain, a mass of corpses, dead bodies without end—they stumble over the dead. 'I am against you,' declares the LORD of Hosts. 'I will lift your skirts over your face; I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. I will pelt you with filth and treat you with contempt; I will make a spectacle of you. Then all who see you will recoil from you, saying, 'Nineveh is devastated; who will mourn for her?'" This prophecy reflects the divine retribution that Assyria faces due to its hubris and the violence it inflicted upon others. The fall of Nineveh in 612 BC to a coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians marked the end of Assyria's dominance, fulfilling the biblical prophecies of its demise. Conclusion Assyria's portrayal in the Bible as a proud and haughty power serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance and self-reliance. Despite its role as an instrument of God's judgment, Assyria's own pride led to its eventual downfall, demonstrating the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 19:22-24Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? and against whom have you exalted your voice, and lifted up your eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 10:8 Library The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal The visit to Media. Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther. The Career of the Antichrist Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ... Divine Destruction and Protection The Great Assize Palestine under Pagan Kings. The Sovereignty of God in Operation The First Theological Oration. Resources Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Assyrians in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why were infants dashed to pieces (Nahum 3:10)? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Assyria: Alliances With, Sought by Judah and Israel Assyria: An Empire Founded by Nimrod Assyria: Antiquity and Origin of Assyria: Army of, Destroyed by the Angel of the Lord Assyria: As a Power, Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance Assyria: As a Power, Was: Cruel and Destructive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Intolerant and Oppressive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Most Formidable Assyria: As a Power, Was: Proud and Haughty Assyria: As a Power, Was: Selfish and Reserved Assyria: As a Power, Was: Unfaithful Assyria: Called: The Land of Nimrod Assyria: Celebrated For: Extensive Commerce Assyria: Celebrated For: Extent of Conquests Assyria: Celebrated For: Fertility Assyria: Chief Men of, Described Assyria: Condemned for Oppressing God's People Assyria: Idolatry of, Brought Into Samaria Assyria: Idolatry, the Religion of Assyria: Invaded by Pharaoh-Necho Assyria: Israel Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Israelites Carried Captive Into Assyria: Israelites Subject To Assyria: It Extended from East of the Tigris Assyria: Its Armies Invade the Land of Israel Under Pul Assyria: Jews Carried Captive To Assyria: Judah Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Manasseh Taken Captive To Assyria: Nineveh, Chief City of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest and Captivity of Israel By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Syria By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of the Kenites By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Judah By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Participation in the Blessings of the Gospel Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of Israel From Assyria: Prophecies Concerning Assyria: Prophecies of Captivity of Israelites In Assyria: Pul King of Brought off by Menahem Assyria: Pul King of Invaded Israel Assyria: Sennacherib King of Assassinated by his Sons Assyria: Sennacherib King of Blasphemed the Lord Assyria: Sennacherib King of Bought off by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of His Army Destroyed by God Assyria: Sennacherib King of Insulted and Threatened Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Invaded Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Prayed Against by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Reproved for Pride and Blasphemy Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Carried Israel Captive Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Imprisoned Hoshea Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Reduced Israel to Tribute Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Re-Peopled Samaria from Assyria Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Was Conspired Against by Hoshea Assyria: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Assyria: The Greatness, Extent, Duration, and Fall, Illustrated Assyria: The Jews Condemned for Following the Idolatries of Assyria: The Re-Peopling of Samaria From, Completed by Asnappar Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Asked to Aid Ahaz Against Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Conquered Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Ravaged Israel Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Took Money from Ahaz, But Strengthened Him Not Assyria: Watered by the River Tigris Related Terms Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences) Tillegath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgathpilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences) |
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