Introduction:
Assyria, also known as Asshur, was a prominent ancient Mesopotamian empire known for its powerful military, advanced culture, and significant role in biblical history. The Assyrian Empire is frequently mentioned in the Bible, where it is depicted as both a tool of divine judgment and a symbol of human pride and cruelty.

Historical Background:
Assyria was located in the northern part of Mesopotamia, primarily in what is now modern-day Iraq. The city of Asshur, from which the empire derived its name, was one of its earliest capitals. The Assyrian Empire reached its zenith between the 9th and 7th centuries BC, under rulers such as Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, Sennacherib, and Ashurbanipal.

Biblical References:
1. Genesis 10:11-12 : "From that land he went forth into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen, which is between Nineveh and the great city of Calah." This passage highlights the early establishment of Assyrian cities, including Nineveh, which later became the empire's capital.

2. 2 Kings 15:19-20 : "Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom." This account marks the beginning of Assyrian influence over Israel, as the northern kingdom sought to appease Assyrian power through tribute.

3. 2 Kings 17:6 : "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes." The fall of Samaria in 722 BC was a pivotal event, leading to the exile of the northern tribes of Israel.

4. Isaiah 10:5-6 : "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to seize the spoil and to plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets." Here, Assyria is depicted as an instrument of God's judgment against Israel, yet also subject to divine wrath for its own arrogance and brutality.

5. Jonah 1:1-2 : "Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, 'Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.'" The book of Jonah underscores God's concern for the repentance of even the most wicked cities, as Nineveh ultimately repents at Jonah's preaching.

Cultural and Religious Influence:
Assyria was known for its impressive architectural achievements, including the construction of grand palaces and temples. The Assyrians worshiped a pantheon of gods, with Ashur being the chief deity. Their religious practices and cultural advancements had a significant impact on the surrounding regions.

Prophetic Significance:
The prophets frequently spoke against Assyria, foretelling its eventual downfall due to its pride and cruelty. Nahum 3:1 declares, "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without prey." This prophecy, among others, was fulfilled when Nineveh fell to a coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians in 612 BC, marking the end of Assyrian dominance.

Conclusion:
Assyria's role in biblical history is multifaceted, serving as both an instrument of divine judgment and a symbol of human hubris. Its interactions with Israel and Judah are pivotal in understanding the historical and theological context of the Old Testament narrative.Hosea 14:3
Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride on horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, You are our gods: for in you the fatherless finds mercy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Chapter x
... "Asshur," used in the Bible sometimes for the personal ancestor, sometimes for the
people, sometimes for the land, is Assyria, called Asshur by the old ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

The History after the Flood.
... From these came Asshur, from whom also the Assyrians ... him the above-named city
Hierosolyma was called Jerusalem ... There were these kings of Assyria: Tiglath-Pileser ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxi the history after the.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... it certain that this place, now called Irbid, was ... to Egypt, notwithstanding the covenant
made with Assyria, is the ... the relation of Israel to Egypt and Asshur. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

A Living Book
... [Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal ... He called them to His
work; He spoke to ... cried out against the wickedness of Assyria and Babylon ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/duff/the bible in its making/chapter i a living book.htm

The Joyous Return
... habit of turning to a man who is called a priest ... Now come three sentences of
renunciation: Asshur shall not save us ... Israel used always to fall back upon Assyria. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the joyous return.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... of the ancient capital city of Assyria, Asshur, where inscriptions ... by Assyriologists
that the so-called historical inscriptions ... III, king of Assyria, claims a ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... Sippara, of Shamash; Cuthah, of Nergal; Asshur, of Ashur ... revealed the pantheon of
Babylonia and Assyria; the inscriptions ... of the gods had been called into being ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... 8, in a similar manner: "And Asshur falls through ... of his having been divinely
called."Another question ... being carried away to Egypt"Assyria being considered ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

His Earliest Oracles. (ii. 2-iv. 4. )
... Or what is to thee the road to Asshur, 18 To ... and silly oscillation between Egypt
and Assyria; on the ... Jeremiah has been called the blackest of pessimists, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 his earliest oracles ii.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... The overthrow of Assyria, Babylon, the Persian and Grecian monarchies ... the valley
of Jehoshaphat now so called, "at the ... Isaiah 10:6, the mission of Asshur was a ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

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