AI illustration: Assyria - Ancient Mesopotamian kingdom

What is Assyria in the Bible?

The empire whose kings exiled the northern kingdom of Israel and invaded Judah in the days of Hezekiah.

Assyria is a kingdom and land east of Israel. Genesis describes the river Hiddekel as flowing toward the east of Assyria (Genesis 2:14).

Assyria in the Bible

In the books of Kings its rulers press hard on Israel and Judah. Pul takes tribute from Menahem (2 Kings 15:19), and Tiglathpileser carries the people of Naphtali captive to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29). In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria takes Samaria, deports Israel to Halah, Habor and the cities of the Medes (2 Kings 17:6), and settles foreigners in its cities (2 Kings 17:24).

Sennacherib later takes the fenced cities of Judah (2 Kings 18:13), but the LORD saves Hezekiah and Jerusalem from his hand (2 Chronicles 32:22). The prophets speak of Assyria both as an instrument of judgment and as a nation under judgment. Zephaniah foretells that God will destroy Assyria and make Nineveh desolate (Zephaniah 2:13).

Isaiah also looks to a day when God will bless Egypt, Assyria and Israel together (Isaiah 19:25). Assyria was an ancient empire centered on the upper Tigris River in what is now northern Iraq.

Name origin
Akkadian
Role
Ancient Mesopotamian kingdom
First mention
Genesis 2:14
Appearances in the Bible
108 mentions

Questions about Assyria

What is Assyria in the Bible?

Assyria is a kingdom and land east of Israel. Genesis describes the river Hiddekel as flowing toward the east of Assyria (Genesis 2:14). In the books of Kings its rulers press hard on Israel and Judah. Pul takes tribute from Menahem (2 Kings 15:19), and Tiglathpileser carries the people of Naphtali captive to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29). In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria takes Samaria, deports Israel to Halah, Habor and the cities of the Medes (2 Kings 17:6), and settles foreigners in its cities (2 Kings 17:24). Sennacherib later takes the fenced cities of Judah (2 Kings 18:13), but the LORD saves Hezekiah and Jerusalem from his hand (2 Chronicles 32:22). The prophets speak of Assyria both as an instrument of judgment and as a nation under judgment. Zephaniah foretells that God will destroy Assyria and make Nineveh desolate (Zephaniah 2:13). Isaiah also looks to a day when God will bless Egypt, Assyria and Israel together (Isaiah 19:25). Assyria was an ancient empire centered on the upper Tigris River in what is now northern Iraq.

Where is Assyria first mentioned in the Bible?

Assyria is first mentioned in Genesis 2:14.

How many times is Assyria mentioned in the Bible?

Number of mentions in the Bible: 108.