Topical Encyclopedia Assyria, an ancient Mesopotamian empire, is frequently depicted in the Bible as a formidable and ruthless power. Its capital, Nineveh, became synonymous with cruelty and destruction, reflecting the empire's reputation for military might and harsh treatment of conquered peoples. The Assyrian Empire reached its zenith between the 9th and 7th centuries BC, during which it exerted significant influence over the Near East, including the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.The Bible provides numerous accounts of Assyria's interactions with the Israelites, often highlighting the empire's brutal tactics. In 2 Kings 18:13, the Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, capturing fortified cities: "In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them." This passage underscores the military prowess and aggressive expansionism of the Assyrian Empire. The prophet Isaiah also speaks of Assyria's role as an instrument of divine judgment, yet he does not shy away from describing its cruelty. Isaiah 10:5-7 portrays Assyria as a rod of God's anger, yet acknowledges the empire's own intentions of destruction: "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 take spoil and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. But this is not his intention; this is not what he has in mind. Rather, his purpose is to destroy, to cut off many nations." The Assyrian siege of Samaria, leading to the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, is another testament to the empire's destructive capabilities. 2 Kings 17:5-6 recounts this event: "Then the king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria." This deportation marked the beginning of the so-called "Lost Tribes of Israel," as the Assyrians forcibly relocated the Israelites, dispersing them throughout their empire. The prophet Nahum vividly describes the impending downfall of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, emphasizing the city's violence and bloodshed. Nahum 3:1-3 states: "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without prey. The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! Charging horseman, flashing sword, and glittering spear—many slain, a mass of corpses, countless dead bodies—they stumble over the dead." Assyria's reputation for cruelty is further illustrated by its psychological warfare tactics, including the use of fear and intimidation to subdue its enemies. The Assyrian kings often boasted of their conquests and the terror they instilled in their foes, as seen in the annals and reliefs depicting their military campaigns. In summary, the biblical portrayal of Assyria is one of a powerful and destructive force, used by God to execute judgment, yet ultimately accountable for its own brutality and excesses. The empire's legacy is marked by its military conquests, forced deportations, and the eventual divine retribution that led to its downfall. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 10:7However, he means not so, neither does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10 ... The Birth of Cyrus. How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ... The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Sibylline Oracles. Bunsen's Biblical Researches. The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest 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) |