Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Ashur is a significant figure and location in biblical history, often associated with the Assyrian Empire. The name Ashur appears in various contexts within the Bible, referring to both a person and a nation. Understanding Ashur provides insight into the geopolitical and spiritual landscape of the ancient Near East as depicted in the Scriptures.
Ashur as a Person:Ashur is first mentioned in the Table of Nations in
Genesis 10, where he is listed as a son of Shem, one of Noah's sons.
Genesis 10:22 states, "The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram." As a descendant of Shem, Ashur is part of the Semitic lineage, which plays a crucial role in the unfolding narrative of the Bible.
Ashur as a Nation:The name Ashur is also synonymous with the Assyrian Empire, a dominant force in the ancient Near East. The Assyrians are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a powerful and often oppressive nation. The Assyrian Empire's capital, Nineveh, is notably referenced in the book of Jonah, where God commands Jonah to preach repentance to its inhabitants.
Biblical References to Assyria:Assyria's interactions with Israel and Judah are well-documented in the Bible. The Assyrians are often depicted as instruments of God's judgment against the Israelites for their disobedience. In
2 Kings 17:6 , the Assyrian king Shalmaneser captures Samaria and exiles the Israelites, marking the fall of the Northern Kingdom: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria."
The prophet Isaiah also speaks extensively about Assyria, portraying it as both a tool of divine wrath and a nation subject to God's ultimate judgment.
Isaiah 10:5-6 declares, "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 snatch the plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets."
Assyria's Role in Prophecy:The prophets often use Assyria as a symbol of God's sovereignty over the nations. Despite its might, Assyria is not beyond God's control. In
Isaiah 14:24-25 , the Lord asserts His power over Assyria: "The LORD of Hosts has sworn: 'As I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountains. Then his yoke will be taken from My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.'"
Cultural and Historical Context:The Assyrian Empire was known for its military prowess, architectural achievements, and administrative efficiency. Its capital, Nineveh, was one of the largest cities of its time. The Assyrians were also known for their brutal tactics in warfare, which contributed to their fearsome reputation among neighboring nations.
Spiritual Lessons:The biblical narrative of Ashur and Assyria serves as a reminder of God's control over history and His use of nations to fulfill His purposes. The rise and fall of Assyria illustrate the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate authority of God over all kingdoms. The account of Jonah and Nineveh highlights God's mercy and willingness to forgive even the most wicked when they repent.
Conclusion:While Ashur and the Assyrian Empire are often associated with judgment and destruction, they also serve as a testament to God's overarching plan and His ability to use even the most formidable empires to accomplish His divine will.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ashurwho is happy; or walks; or looks
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ashur(black), the posthumous son of Hezron by his wife Abiah. (1 Chronicles 2:24;4:5) He became "father" or founder of the town of Tekoa. (B.C. 1658.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASHURash'-ur. SeeASHHUR.
Strong's Hebrew
839.ashur -- perhaps boxwood (a kind of wood)ashur or ashurim. 838, 839.
ashur or ashurim. 840 . perhaps boxwood
(a kind of wood). Transliteration:
ashur or ashurim Phonetic
...804a.ashur -- step, going
... 804, 804a.ashur. 804b . step, going. Transliteration:ashur Short Definition:
steps.... 804, 804a.ashur. 804b . Strong's Numbers.
634. Esarchaddon -- "Ashur has given a brother," an Assyrian king
... "Ashur has given a brother," an Assyrian king. Transliteration: Esarchaddon Phonetic
Spelling: (ay-sar' Chad-dohn') Short Definition: Esarhaddon....
806. Ashchuwr -- "black," an Israelite
... 805b, 806. Ashchuwr. 806a . "black," an Israelite. Transliteration: Ashchuwr
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-khoor') Short Definition:Ashur.Ashur...
804. Ashshuwr -- step, going
... Asshur, Assur, Assyria, Assyrians. See 'ashur. see HEBREW 'ashar. see HEBREW
'ashur. 803, 804. Ashshuwr. 804a . Strong's Numbers.
805. Ashuwriy -- descendant of Asshur, also a region of Isr.
... Or iashshuwriy {ash-shoo-ree'}; from a patrial word of the same form as 'Ashshuwr;
an Ashurite (collectively) or inhabitant ofAshur, a district in Palestine...
Library
The Historicity of the Book of Jonah.
... critics. Again, they interpose the difficulty: "How could the Ninevites
give credence to a man who was not a servant ofAshur?"....
The Destruction of Sennacherib
... And the widows ofAshur are loud in their wail, And the idols are broke in the temple
of Baal, And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted...
Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... as in the sight of God, ye can by prayer and thanksgiving saturate your lives with
godliness and make every action drip with sanctity, till, likeAshur of old...
How Every Nation was Denominated from their First Inhabitants.
... Persians.Ashur lived at the city Nineve; and named his subjects Assyrians,
who became the most fortunate nation, beyond others....
The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... special patron deity; for example, Babylon was the city of Marduk; Nippur, of Enlil;
Ur, of Sin; Sippara, of Shamash; Cuthah, of Nergal; Asshur, ofAshur; etc....
[Endnotes]
... Thus, Elam,Ashur, and others, appear each to have founded only one nation, whilst
Arphaxad and his posterity founded eighteen. [45:1] Luke 10:1....
The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... Many Assyriologists believe that the nameAshur, anciently written Aushar, signified
"the plain at the edge of the water"; and that it must have been applied...
Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... And the widows ofAshur are loud in their wail, And the idols are broke in the temple
of Baal; And the might of the Gentiles, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted...
The Old Testament and Archeology
... an expedition against Ashdod: "The people of Philistia, Judah, Edom, and Moab, dwelling
beside the sea, bringing tribute and presents toAshur my lord, were...
Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Ashur (6 Occurrences)...ASHUR. ash'-ur. See ASHHUR.
...Ashur (6 Occurrences). Genesis 10:11 Out of that land
went forth
Ashur, and built Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, (WBS).
...Ashurbanipal (1 Occurrence)
... a-shoor-ba'-ne-pal (Ashur-bani-apal, "Ashur creates a son"): Before setting out
on his last campaign to Egypt, Esarhaddon king of Assyria doubtless having had...
Boxtree
... The words of Ezek. 27:6 literally translated are, "Thy benches they have made of
ivory, the daughter of theashur tree," ie, inlaid withashur wood....
Box-tree (2 Occurrences)
... The words of Ezek. 27:6 literally translated are, "Thy benches they have made of
ivory, the daughter of theashur tree," ie, inlaid withashur wood....
Goings (42 Occurrences)
... go'-ing, go'-ingz: Besides, occasionally, forms of the common words for "go" (see
Go), for "going" and "goings," the Hebrew has 'ashshur ('ashur, 'ashur), "step...
Going (2561 Occurrences)
... go'-ing, go'-ingz: Besides, occasionally, forms of the common words for "go" (see
Go), for "going" and "goings," the Hebrew has 'ashshur ('ashur, 'ashur), "step...
Ashtoreths (6 Occurrences)
Babylonia (17 Occurrences)
... Sennacherib), "Sin has increased the brothers"; Marduk-apal-iddin (Mero-dach-baladan),
"Marduk has given a son"; Ashurakh-iddin (Esarhaddon), "Ashur has given...
Naarah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A girl, the second ofAshur's two wives, of the tribe
of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:5, 6). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NAARAH (1)....
Ulai (2 Occurrences)
... 4. Assyrian References: The Ulai (Assyrian Ulaa or Ulaia) near Susa is regarded
as being shown on the sculptures of the Assyrian kingAshur-bani-pal (British...
Resources
Who were the sons of Noah, and what happened to them and their descendants? | GotQuestions.orgWho are Semites? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the descendants of Ishmael? | GotQuestions.orgAshur: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
