Topical Encyclopedia Assyria, a dominant empire in the ancient Near East, is frequently mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the context of its interactions with Israel and Judah. The prophetic literature of the Old Testament contains several predictions concerning Assyria's role in the conquest of neighboring nations, including Syria.Prophetic Predictions: 1. Isaiah's Prophecy: The prophet Isaiah foretold the Assyrian conquest of Syria in the context of God's judgment against the nations. In Isaiah 7:16-17, the prophet speaks to King Ahaz of Judah, predicting the downfall of both Syria and Israel at the hands of Assyria: "For before the boy knows enough to reject evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken. The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria." 2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy is recorded in 2 Kings 16:9, where it is noted that the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III captured Damascus, the capital of Syria, and exiled its people: "So the king of Assyria complied, and he attacked Damascus and captured it. He deported its inhabitants to Kir and put Rezin to death." 3. Further References: The prophet Amos also alludes to the Assyrian threat in Amos 1:3-5, where he pronounces judgment on Damascus for its transgressions: "Thus says the LORD: 'For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke its punishment, because they threshed Gilead with implements of sharp iron. So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael, and it will consume the citadels of Ben-hadad. I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter, from Beth-eden; so the people of Aram will go exiled to Kir,' says the LORD." Historical Context: Assyria's rise to power in the 8th century BC marked a period of significant upheaval in the ancient Near East. The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and administrative efficiency, expanded its territory through a series of campaigns. The conquest of Syria was part of Assyria's broader strategy to dominate the region, which included subjugating Israel and exerting influence over Judah. The biblical prophets viewed Assyria as an instrument of divine judgment, used by God to execute His will against nations that had turned away from Him. The conquest of Syria by Assyria served as a tangible demonstration of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His prophetic word. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 8:4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Greater Prophets. Bunsen's Biblical Researches. The Sibylline Oracles. Resources Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Assyrians in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why were infants dashed to pieces (Nahum 3:10)? | 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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