Topical Encyclopedia Nineveh, the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, is a city frequently mentioned in the Bible, known for its grandeur and its eventual downfall due to its wickedness. Located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River, near modern-day Mosul in Iraq, Nineveh was one of the most powerful cities of its time, reaching its zenith under the reign of King Sennacherib in the 7th century BC.The Bible portrays Nineveh as a city steeped in sin, particularly characterized by deceit and violence. The prophet Nahum vividly describes the city’s moral corruption, stating, "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!" (Nahum 3:1). This depiction underscores the pervasive nature of deceit and robbery that permeated Nineveh’s society, contributing to its reputation as a city of great iniquity. Nineveh's notoriety for lies and robbery is further emphasized in the prophetic literature. The Assyrians, known for their brutal military campaigns and oppressive rule, often employed deceitful tactics to subjugate other nations. Their reputation for treachery and plundering is reflected in the biblical narrative, where Nineveh becomes a symbol of God’s impending judgment against unrepentant sin. The book of Jonah provides another perspective on Nineveh, highlighting both its wickedness and the possibility of repentance. God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim its impending destruction due to its evil ways. Jonah 1:2 states, "Arise, go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me." Despite Jonah’s initial reluctance, his eventual compliance leads to a remarkable event: the people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, repent of their sins, and God spares the city from destruction (Jonah 3:5-10). However, this repentance was short-lived, as evidenced by Nahum’s later prophecy. The city’s return to its sinful ways ultimately led to its downfall. Nahum 3:5-7 declares, "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 was fulfilled when Nineveh fell to a coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians in 612 BC, marking the end of Assyrian dominance. Nineveh’s account serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of genuine repentance. Its legacy, as recorded in the Bible, is one of both divine mercy and judgment, illustrating the complex relationship between God’s justice and His willingness to forgive those who turn from their wicked ways. Torrey's Topical Textbook Nahum 3:1Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departs not; Torrey's Topical Textbook Library "Nineveh, that Great City" Deliverance from Assyria Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses. The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ... A Home Question What Jesus Says of the Meaning of his Miracles The Old Testament and Comparative Religion Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence. An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists. The Doctrine Resources When and how was Nineveh destroyed? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God judge Nineveh so harshly in the book of Nahum? | GotQuestions.org Why did Jonah try to go to Tarshish instead of Nineveh? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Nineveh: Called the Bloody City Nineveh: Capitol of the Assyrian Empire Nineveh: Destruction of, Averted Nineveh: Full of Joy and Carelessness Nineveh: Full of Lies and Robbery Nineveh: Inhabitants of, Repented at Jonah's Preaching Nineveh: Jonah Sent to Proclaim the Destruction of Nineveh: Nahum Prophesies Against Nineveh: Origin and Antiquity of Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Being Taken While People Were Drunk Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Captivity of Its People Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Coming up of the Babylonish Armies Against Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Complete Desolation Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Degradation and Contempt Put On Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Its Idols Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Its People Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Feebleness of Its People Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Spoiling of Its Treasures Nineveh: Predictions Respecting: Utter Destruction Nineveh: Situated on the River Tigris Nineveh: The Ancient Capital of Assyria Nineveh: Zephaniah Foretells the Desolation of Related Terms |
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