Assyria, an ancient Mesopotamian empire, played a significant role in biblical history, often depicted as a formidable power used by God to execute judgment upon Israel and other nations. Governed by a succession of kings, Assyria's influence and interactions with the Israelites are well-documented in the Scriptures.

Historical Context

Assyria emerged as a dominant empire in the ancient Near East, with its heartland located in what is now northern Iraq. The Assyrian Empire reached its zenith between the 9th and 7th centuries BC, during which it expanded its territory through military conquests and established a reputation for its powerful army and advanced administrative systems.

Assyrian Kings in the Bible

The Bible references several Assyrian kings, each playing a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative of Israel and Judah. Among these kings, Tiglath-Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib are particularly noteworthy.

1. Tiglath-Pileser III: Known for his military campaigns and administrative reforms, Tiglath-Pileser III is mentioned in 2 Kings 15:29 and 1 Chronicles 5:26. He is credited with the conquest of large parts of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites: "In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee—all the land of Naphtali—and he took the people to Assyria" (2 Kings 15:29).

2. Shalmaneser V: His reign is marked by the siege of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Although he initiated the siege, it was completed by his successor, Sargon II. The fall of Samaria in 722 BC led to the Assyrian captivity of the Israelites, as recorded in 2 Kings 17:6: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria."

3. Sargon II: Sargon II completed the conquest of Samaria and is mentioned in Isaiah 20:1. His reign further solidified Assyrian control over the region, and he continued to expand the empire's borders.

4. Sennacherib: Perhaps the most famous Assyrian king in the Bible, Sennacherib is known for his campaign against Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. His siege of Jerusalem is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. Despite his military prowess, Sennacherib's campaign ended in failure due to divine intervention: "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!" (Isaiah 37:36).

Assyria's Role in Divine Judgment

Throughout the Bible, Assyria is portrayed as an instrument of God's judgment against the nations, including Israel and Judah, for their idolatry and disobedience. The prophets frequently warned of Assyria's impending invasions as a consequence of the people's sins. For instance, Isaiah 10:5-6 describes Assyria as the "rod of My anger" used by God to punish a "godless nation."

The Fall of Assyria

Despite its might, Assyria's dominance was not eternal. The empire eventually fell to the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC, as prophesied by Nahum and Zephaniah. This downfall serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly powers and the sovereignty of God over the nations.

Assyria's legacy in biblical history is a testament to the complex interplay between divine providence and human agency, as seen through the reigns of its kings and their interactions with God's chosen people.2 Kings 15:19,29
And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Moses and his Writings
... had been forgotten by all save the learned scribes of Babylonia and Assyria. ... Again,
in Genesis 14.we read the names of the kings who governed nine nations ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iii moses and his.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... a Sumerian dynasty from the south, which governed the country ... the Babylonian plain,
and Kassite kings ruled at ... and founded the kingdom of Assyria, which soon ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Midian was originally governed by high-priests. This was the case among other Semitic
peoples as well. In Assyria the kings were preceded by the high-priests ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... into a confederation of several tribes, governed by hereditary ... of Pinches.2. In the
Bible (2 Kings 19:36, 37 ... his cause reached him even from Assyria, and Nineveh ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... and this ever since Shalmanezer, the king of Assyria, transplanted us out ... six months,
and ten days; but before those kings, such rulers governed them as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

Book ii.
... that the emotions can be subdued and governed, not extirpated ... 2 Kings xviii.3, 4,
7. Hezekiah did great things ... gave the consecrated gold to the king of Assyria. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii.htm

Chapter xiv
... the middle Tigris and south of Assyria, corresponding roughly ... and Arioch, king of
Ellasar"four kings against five ... Governed by the nearest subject, as so often ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Introduction
... while the clay books of Babylonia and Assyria are giving us ... into the past of the
campaigns of later Assyrian kings. ... name of Eri-Aku or Arioch governed Larsa in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... not be besieged by the king of Assyria; that for ... and Persians, and, in all probability
governed under Baltasar ... stones of the sepulchers of the kings of Persia ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

Deuteronomy
... with the general principles by which Israel is to be governed. ... to have removed the
high places (2 Kings 18:4 ... Judah was under the iron heel of Assyria, and, to ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/deuteronomy.htm

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