Topical Encyclopedia Assyria, an ancient Mesopotamian empire, is renowned for its extensive conquests and significant role in biblical history. The Assyrian Empire, with its capital at Nineveh, was a dominant force in the Near East from the 25th century BC until its fall in 609 BC. It is frequently mentioned in the Bible, where its military prowess and expansionist policies are highlighted.Biblical References and Historical Context The Assyrian Empire is first introduced in the Bible in the context of its founding by Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD, as recorded in Genesis 10:11-12: "From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen, which is between Nineveh and the great city of Calah." Assyria's military campaigns and conquests are well-documented in the biblical narrative. The empire is noted for its aggressive expansion and subjugation of neighboring nations, including Israel and Judah. The prophet Isaiah speaks of Assyria as the rod of God's anger, used to discipline the nations: "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath" (Isaiah 10:5). Conquests and Impact on Israel and Judah Assyria's most notable conquests in the biblical account include the capture of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 2 Kings 17:6, the fall of Samaria, the capital of Israel, is described: "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 Assyrian threat also extended to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. King Sennacherib's campaign against Judah is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19, where he besieged Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. Despite the overwhelming Assyrian force, Jerusalem was miraculously delivered, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:35: "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" Prophetic Warnings and Assyria's Downfall The prophets frequently warned of Assyria's rise and eventual downfall. The prophet Nahum prophesied the destruction of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, as a divine judgment for its wickedness: "The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet" (Nahum 1:3). Assyria's decline began with internal strife and external pressures, culminating in the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC to a coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians. This marked the end of Assyrian dominance and fulfilled the prophetic declarations of its demise. Legacy and Significance Assyria's legacy in biblical history is marked by its role as an instrument of divine judgment and its eventual downfall as a testament to God's sovereignty over the nations. The Assyrian Empire's extensive conquests and interactions with Israel and Judah serve as a backdrop for understanding the historical and theological context of the biblical narrative. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 18:33-35Has any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 19:11-13 Isaiah 10:9-14 Library The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) The Prophet Hosea. The Twelve Minor Prophets. The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Nile and Egypt The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Close of the Theban Empire The Rise of the Assyrian Empire The Reaction against Egypt Resources Who was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Nineveh destroyed? | GotQuestions.org What is British Israelism and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Assyria: Alliances With, Sought by Judah and Israel Assyria: An Empire Founded by Nimrod Assyria: Antiquity and Origin of Assyria: Army of, Destroyed by the Angel of the Lord Assyria: As a Power, Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance Assyria: As a Power, Was: Cruel and Destructive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Intolerant and Oppressive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Most Formidable Assyria: As a Power, Was: Proud and Haughty Assyria: As a Power, Was: Selfish and Reserved Assyria: As a Power, Was: Unfaithful Assyria: Called: The Land of Nimrod Assyria: Celebrated For: Extensive Commerce Assyria: Celebrated For: Extent of Conquests Assyria: Celebrated For: Fertility Assyria: Chief Men of, Described Assyria: Condemned for Oppressing God's People Assyria: Idolatry of, Brought Into Samaria Assyria: Idolatry, the Religion of Assyria: Invaded by Pharaoh-Necho Assyria: Israel Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Israelites Carried Captive Into Assyria: Israelites Subject To Assyria: It Extended from East of the Tigris Assyria: Its Armies Invade the Land of Israel Under Pul Assyria: Jews Carried Captive To Assyria: Judah Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Manasseh Taken Captive To Assyria: Nineveh, Chief City of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest and Captivity of Israel By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Syria By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of the Kenites By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Judah By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Participation in the Blessings of the Gospel Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of Israel From Assyria: Prophecies Concerning Assyria: Prophecies of Captivity of Israelites In Assyria: Pul King of Brought off by Menahem Assyria: Pul King of Invaded Israel Assyria: Sennacherib King of Assassinated by his Sons Assyria: Sennacherib King of Blasphemed the Lord Assyria: Sennacherib King of Bought off by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of His Army Destroyed by God Assyria: Sennacherib King of Insulted and Threatened Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Invaded Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Prayed Against by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Reproved for Pride and Blasphemy Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Carried Israel Captive Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Imprisoned Hoshea Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Reduced Israel to Tribute Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Re-Peopled Samaria from Assyria Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Was Conspired Against by Hoshea Assyria: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Assyria: The Greatness, Extent, Duration, and Fall, Illustrated Assyria: The Jews Condemned for Following the Idolatries of Assyria: The Re-Peopling of Samaria From, Completed by Asnappar Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Asked to Aid Ahaz Against Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Conquered Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Ravaged Israel Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Took Money from Ahaz, But Strengthened Him Not Assyria: Watered by the River Tigris Related Terms Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences) Tillegath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgathpilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences) |
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