Topical Bible: Assyria: It Extended from East of the Tigris

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Topical Encyclopedia

Assyria was a powerful and influential ancient empire that played a significant role in the history of the Near East and the biblical narrative. It extended from east of the Tigris River, encompassing parts of modern-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Known for its military prowess and advanced civilization, Assyria is frequently mentioned in the Bible, often as an instrument of God's judgment against Israel and other nations.

Historical Background

The Assyrian Empire rose to prominence in the early second millennium BC, reaching its zenith between the 9th and 7th centuries BC. Its capital cities included Assur, Nineveh, and later, Calah (Nimrud). The Assyrians were known for their sophisticated administration, monumental architecture, and extensive library collections, such as those found in Nineveh.

Biblical References

Assyria is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in the context of its interactions with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Assyrians are depicted as a formidable force used by God to execute judgment on His people due to their disobedience and idolatry.

1. Assyria as an Instrument of Judgment: The prophet Isaiah speaks of Assyria as the "rod of My anger" (Isaiah 10:5), indicating that God used the Assyrian Empire to punish Israel for its sins. The Assyrians captured the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, leading to the exile of the ten tribes.

2. The Siege of Jerusalem: During the reign of King Hezekiah, the Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem. In response to Hezekiah's prayer, God miraculously delivered the city by sending an angel to destroy the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35-36).

3. Prophecies Against Assyria: Despite being used as a tool of divine judgment, Assyria itself was not exempt from God's wrath. The prophet Nahum prophesied the downfall of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, declaring, "The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished" (Nahum 1:3). This prophecy was fulfilled when Nineveh fell to a coalition of Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC.

4. Jonah and Nineveh: The book of Jonah recounts the account of the prophet Jonah, who was sent by God to Nineveh to call the city to repentance. The Ninevites heeded Jonah's warning, and God spared them from destruction at that time (Jonah 3:5-10).

Cultural and Religious Influence

Assyria's influence extended beyond its military conquests. The empire's cultural and religious practices impacted the regions it controlled. The Assyrians worshiped a pantheon of gods, with Ashur being the chief deity. Their religious practices and art often reflected their belief in the divine right of kings and the power of their gods.

Legacy

The legacy of Assyria is evident in the archaeological remains of its cities and the historical records that provide insight into its society and interactions with neighboring nations. The Assyrian Empire's role in biblical history serves as a testament to the sovereignty of God, who uses nations to fulfill His purposes and bring about His divine plan.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 2:14
And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goes toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 10:11
Out of that land went forth Asshur, and built Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Chapter x
... Nimrod, we must needs regard both Babylon and Assyria as exponents ... the east and south
the Canaanite territory extended in the ... "Elam" is the country east of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... strength of the kingdom of Israel, and Assyria fell into ... East of them came the Meshech
and Tubal of ... powerful dynasty arose at Van, which extended its conquests ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... the kingdom of Assyria, which soon extended northward into the ... The population of
Assyria seems to have been more ... were, on the contrary, the Romans of the East. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... a narrow barrier of sand and silt extended between the ... in all, were carried away
captives to Assyria, and his ... which had originated in the east and northeast in ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... connect Iran with the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates ... contact with the empires
of the East; the Treres ... his cause reached him even from Assyria, and Nineveh ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Chapter xiv
... the middle Tigris and south of Assyria, corresponding roughly ... be a location about
seven miles east and a ... pursuit after the vanquished Horites extended to this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... at the same time a covenant with Assyria (12:1 ... is the largest and contains the most
extended promises, is ... modern Alkush, an Assyrian village on the east side of ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... rites, customs, and institutions of Babylonia and Assyria, as also ... greatly increased
if the comparison is extended so as ... Mount Nisir is east of the upper Tigris ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... They extended from north to south along both banks of ... Moreover, the suzerainty of
Assyria over Karduniash entailed on ... which they had seized to the east of the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Chaldaea, Egypt, Assyria, and Persia presided in turn ... that they possessed the plain
east of the ... without exaggeration, that their power extended northwards as ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm