The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and expansionist ambitions, played a significant role in the history of the ancient Near East and is frequently mentioned in the Bible. The Assyrian armies were renowned for their strength, discipline, and advanced military strategies, which contributed to their dominance over vast territories, including parts of Israel and Judah.

Military Organization and Strategy

The Assyrian military was a well-organized and formidable force, characterized by its use of iron weapons, chariots, and siege engines. The Bible provides glimpses into the might of the Assyrian armies, often portraying them as instruments of God's judgment against the nations, including Israel and Judah. In Isaiah 10:5-6 , the Lord refers to Assyria as "the rod of My anger" and "the club in their hands is My wrath," indicating that the Assyrian military was used to execute divine judgment.

The Assyrians were known for their strategic use of psychological warfare, often employing terror tactics to subdue their enemies. This is reflected in the biblical narrative, where the Assyrian king Sennacherib's envoy, Rabshakeh, attempts to demoralize the people of Jerusalem by questioning their trust in God and their king, Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:19-25).

Siege Warfare

Assyrian armies were particularly adept at siege warfare, employing various techniques to breach fortified cities. The Bible recounts the siege of Lachish, a significant Judean city, by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. In 2 Chronicles 32:1 , it is recorded that "Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself." The Assyrian reliefs from Nineveh vividly depict the siege of Lachish, showcasing the use of battering rams and siege towers.

Chariots and Cavalry

The Assyrian military also made extensive use of chariots and cavalry, which were crucial components of their army. Chariots, often manned by archers, provided mobility and a platform for launching attacks. Nahum 3:2-3 describes the noise of the Assyrian chariots and the charging cavalry: "The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! Charging horseman, flashing sword, and glittering spear."

Infantry and Archers

The Assyrian infantry was composed of well-trained soldiers equipped with shields, spears, and swords. Archers played a vital role in the Assyrian military, providing ranged support during battles and sieges. The effectiveness of the Assyrian archers is alluded to in Isaiah 5:28 , which describes their arrows as "sharp, and all their bows bent."

Divine Instrument of Judgment

Throughout the biblical narrative, the Assyrian armies are depicted as instruments of God's judgment, used to discipline His people for their disobedience. In 2 Kings 17:6 , the Assyrian king Shalmaneser captures Samaria and exiles the Israelites, fulfilling the prophetic warnings given by the prophets. The fall of Samaria and the subsequent exile of the northern kingdom of Israel serve as a testament to the might of the Assyrian military and the fulfillment of divine prophecy.

The Assyrian armies, with their advanced military tactics and overwhelming force, left a lasting impact on the biblical world. Their role as agents of divine judgment underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations and His use of earthly powers to accomplish His purposes.Isaiah 5:26-29
And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss to them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Babylonia and Assyria
... The Assyrian conquest of Egypt has been already described. ... had overrun and ravaged
Assyria and Mesopotamia ... Mesopotamia to the Babylonian armies; the Egyptians ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... taken by Merodach-baladan to defend his capital are described. ... The earlier historians
of Assyria, misled in ... showed that there were then two armies, engaged at ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... the road to the Mediterranean to the armies of Assyria ... of the kingdom of Israel,
and Assyria fell into ... and the ranges of the Taurus have already been described. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... by its votaries, but have frequently described its outward ... had solicited help from
the Pharaohs against Assyria. ... had occurred, the Egyptian armies had merely ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

'Fruit which is Death'
... Jareb'"a name for the king of Assyria meaning the ... The instruments of chastisement
are foreign armies, and the chastisement itself is described with a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fruit which is death.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... was not strong enough to displace Assyria as an ... the abominations which they practiced
are described in Lev ... or preparedness of the contending armies can forecast ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... result on the sinners' own natures is described with pregnant ... The armies of the
Assyrians, not the prophets, are ... of evil, and was made the captive of Assyria. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... His history and character are described at much greater ... the Pharaoh of Exodus came
from Assyria (Isa.52:4 ... in his blatant challenge, "I defy the armies of Israel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Herodotus and Xenophon.
... himself in the command of armies, and in ... they witnessed in their campaigns, and
described briefly the ... thence went still farther eastward to Assyria and Babylon ...
/.../abbott/cyrus the great/chapter i herodotus and xenophon.htm

Egypt
... endeavoured in vain to play off Assyria against Egypt ... While the Assyrian armies were
employed elsewhere, Psammetikhos shook ... be, the God who is described in the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.org

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