Nisroch is a deity mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of Assyrian worship. The name appears in the narrative concerning the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who is described as worshiping in the temple of Nisroch after his military campaigns.

Biblical References:

The primary biblical reference to Nisroch is found in 2 Kings 19:37 and its parallel account in Isaiah 37:38. The Berean Standard Bible renders the passage in 2 Kings 19:37 as follows: "One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esarhaddon reigned in his place."

Historical and Cultural Context:

Nisroch is identified as an Assyrian god, although specific details about this deity are sparse in historical records. The Assyrians were known for their polytheistic beliefs, worshiping a pantheon of gods, with Ashur being the chief deity. Nisroch's mention in the Bible is significant as it highlights the religious practices of the Assyrians and their devotion to various gods.

The assassination of Sennacherib in the temple of Nisroch underscores the political and religious tensions of the time. It was not uncommon for political intrigue and religious settings to intersect in the ancient Near East, as temples were not only places of worship but also centers of power and influence.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the mention of Nisroch serves to contrast the monotheistic faith of Israel with the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations. The narrative of Sennacherib's assassination in the temple of his god can be seen as a demonstration of the futility of idol worship, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The God of Israel is portrayed as sovereign and supreme, in stark contrast to the powerless idols of the nations.

Archaeological Insights:

While there is limited archaeological evidence directly linking Nisroch to a specific Assyrian deity, some scholars suggest that Nisroch may be a corruption or variation of the name of another god, possibly Nusku or Ninurta. These deities were associated with aspects of war and agriculture, fitting the context of Sennacherib's reign and military endeavors.

Conclusion:

The account of Nisroch in the Bible provides insight into the religious practices of the Assyrians and serves as a narrative device to highlight the sovereignty of the God of Israel. The account of Sennacherib's demise in the temple of Nisroch is a powerful reminder of the biblical theme that idols are ultimately powerless before the one true God.Nisroch

flight; proof; temptation; delicate

Nisroch

(the great eagle) an idol of Nineveh, in whose temple Sennacherib was worshipping when assassinated by his sons, Adrammelech and Shizrezer. (2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38) This idol is identified with the eagle-headed human figure, which is one of the most prominent on the earliest Assyrian monuments, and is always represented as contending with and conquering the lion or the bull.

Nisroch

A god of the Assyrians, in whose temple, and in the very act of idolatry, Sennacherib was slain by his own sons, 2 Kings 19:37. According to the etymology, the name would signify "the great eagle;" and the earlier Assyrian sculptures recently exhumed at Nineveh have many representations of an idol in human form, but with the head of an eagle, as shown above. Among the ancient Arabs also the eagle occurs as an idol. The other accompanying cut, representing a winged figure in a circle, armed with a bow, is frequently met on the walls of ancient Nineveh in scenes of worship, and is believed to be an emblem of the supreme divinity of the Assyrians.

Probably connected with the Hebrew word nesher, an eagle. An Assyrian god, supposed to be that represented with the head of an eagle. Sennacherib was killed in the temple of this idol (2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38). NISROCH

nis'-rok, niz'-rok (nicrokh): The Assyrian god in whose temple Sennacherib was worshipping when put to death by his sons (2 Kings 19:37 Isaiah 37:38). The name is not found elsewhere. Some identify him with Asshur, the national deity.

See BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA, RELIGION OF.

5268. Nisrok -- an Assyr. god
... Nisrok. 5269 . an Assyr. god. Transliteration: Nisrok Phonetic Spelling:
(nis-roke') Short Definition: Nisroch. ... god NASB Word Usage Nisroch (2). Nisroch. ...
/hebrew/5268.htm - 5k

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that
Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

The Triumph of Faith
... And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that
Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the triumph of faith.htm

A Prophet who Saved a Great City
... While he was worshipping in the temple of Nisroch his god, his sons struck him
down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a prophet who saved a.htm

Nineveh.
... Sennacherib was murdered in the year 720 by two of his sons, while worshipping
his god Nisroch; and another son, Esarhaddon, became king. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Nisroch (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NISROCH. ... See BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA, RELIGION
OF. Multi-Version Concordance Nisroch (2 Occurrences). ...
/n/nisroch.htm - 8k

Esar-haddon (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch
his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer smote him with the sword: and they ...
/e/esar-haddon.htm - 7k

Esar (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 It happened, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god,
that Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped ...
/e/esar.htm - 7k

Adram'melech (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch
his god, that Adrammelech and Sarezer his sons smote him with the sword; and ...
/a/adram'melech.htm - 7k

Adrammelech (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 It happened, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god,
that Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped ...
/a/adrammelech.htm - 8k

Ar'arat (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 It happened, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god,
that Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped ...
/a/ar'arat.htm - 7k

Sharezer (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 It happened, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god,
that Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped ...
/s/sharezer.htm - 10k

Sarezer (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch
his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer smote him with the sword: and they ...
/s/sarezer.htm - 7k

Share'zer (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 and it cometh to pass, he is bowing himself in the house of Nisroch
his god, and Adramelech and Sharezar 'his sons' have smitten him with the ...
/s/share'zer.htm - 7k

Worshiping (24 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:37 And it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch
his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and ...
/w/worshiping.htm - 14k

What is blasphemy? What does it mean to blaspheme? | GotQuestions.org

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

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