Asshur

Biblical Character. Second son of Shem, son of Noah (Genesis 10:22; 1 Chronicles 1:17). Assyria was named after him although the name Asshur is sometimes used to refer to the place where his descendants dwell (Numbers 24:22, 24; Ezekiel 27:23).  He is on the Timeline of the Bible after the Flood (after 2300 BC)

Biblical Name for Assyria.  Asshur, a city characterized by the mounds of Kalah Sherghat, on the west bank of the Tigris (Genesis 2:14) was the primary capital of Assyria. About 1700 BC, Bel-kap-kapu founded this city. Afterward, the capital was changed to Ninua, or Nineveh, now Koyunjik, on the eastern bank of the river.

King of the Assyrian Gods. Asshur was the father of Assyrians. He gave power and life to every priestly king. A winged circle or globe with the human figure of a warrior god armed with a bow in its center was used to symbolize him as “the great god, king of all gods.”  Also, Asshur was used as part of a compound name for various Assyrian kings.

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Asshur,_Biblical_Figure
The Tigris

Spiritual Meaning of Asshur.

Genesis 10:11-12, “Out of that land went forth Asshur,” signifies that they who were in such external worship began to reason about the internals of worship; “Asshur” denotes reasoning; “and built Nineveh, and the city of Rehoboth, and Calah,” signifies that thereby they formed doctrines of faith for themselves; by “Nineveh” are signified the falsities of these doctrines; by ” Rehoboth and Calah,” the same from another origin; “Resen, between Nineveh and Calah,” signifies that they also formed for themselves doctrines of life. By ” Resen” are signified falsities of doctrines hence derived; “Nineveh” is falsity from reasoning ” Calah” is falsity from greediness; “between Nineveh and Calah,” is falsity from both; “this is that great city,” signifies that these doctrines increased and prevailed.

What Part of The Bible Mentions Asshur?

  • Genesis 2:14. Asshur as the west bank of the Tigris.
  • Genesis 10:22, 1 Chronicles 1:17.  Asshur as the son of Shem with siblings Elam, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.
  • Genesis 10:11. Asshur built Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah.
  • Genesis 25:18. Asshur as a border for the location of settlement of Ishmael’s descendants in the area from Havilah to Shur where they lived in aggression toward all the tribes related to them.
  • Numbers 24:22 -24. Asshur as a threat to Kenites’ destruction.
  • Ezekiel 27:23.  Asshur as trading merchant together with Harran, Kanneh, Eden, Sheba, and Kilmad.
  • Hosea 14:3. Asshur as king of the Assyrian gods.
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8 thoughts on “Asshur

  1. With all due respect, your quotations regarding what nation became from Shem’s son Asshur are erroneous.
    In Genesis 10:2-5 describes only the sons of Japheth
    In Genesis 10:6-20 describes only the sons of Ham
    In Genesis 10:21-31 describes only the sons of Shem
    While describing the sons of Ham, Cush (Ethiopia) had a son named Nimrod:
    Genesis 10:8-12 _ Cush was the father of Nimrod… the first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh. From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh…
    After that, continues to the next son Mizraim (Egypt) so…
    Whoever is writing this information, is mixing and misusing the order in which the description of the son’s of Noah was given, as Asshur is not Ham’s son but Shem. Which means… we still don’t know what nation became of Asshur.
    Good luck next time.

    1. Ya, the Assyrians

    2. Good point, but I think you misunderstood Genesis 10:11-12. While, yes, Genesis 10:8-10 describes the establishments of Nimrod, son on Cush, I see where verses 11-12 connect us to Genesis 10:21-22. Genesis 10:22 tells us that Asshur was the second son of Shem. If you read history, we see that Asshur was the father of the Assyrians. The Assyrians are Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria today. Those lands are near the aforementioned Babel (Babylon), Erech, Akkad, and Kelneh/Calneh in the land of Shinar. That’s why the next verse says, “Out of THAT land went forth Asshur and builded Nineveh…” Genesis 10:11.

      I think the authors did a good job of explaining the scriptures. Please go back and study to see these things for yourself. God bless.

    3. Truth well said.

  2. Though, after searching meticulously, it interesting to see that the hebrew called the descendants of Asshur (Ashshuwr or Ashshur) as people of the land of Assyr (Assyria).
    That of course, it’s a bit confusing as in Genesis 10:8-12, describes that Nimrod when to Assyria and build Nineveh. Assuming my self that he (Nimrod) builded Assyria, which in fact he only builded Nineveh in the land of Assyria.
    My apologies to the writer’s great job on this bible timeline with world history – good work.

  3. Nice one great job and good research thank you

  4. You forgot a huge mention of Ashur in Isaiah.
    Shalom

    1. Which chapter and verse of Isaiah is this passage missing? I’m studying too so I may be able to know scripture! I salute you all for your honesty in these comments!

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