אַשּׁוּר (ash.shur)
ash.shur
Assyria
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 123 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ashshur refers to both a person and a place, serving as the name for Asshur, the second son of Shem, and the empire his descendants built. In the Old Testament it denotes the land of Assyria, its people, and its political power. The sources suggest an etymological link to a root meaning "successful" or "firm," which aligns with the historical reality of Assyria as a dominant military force in the ancient Near East.
This term appears over one hundred times, particularly in the books of Kings and Isaiah, where it stands for a major geopolitical rival to Israel and Judah. The texts frequently describe Assyrian kings invading the land or threatening Jerusalem, such as when Sennacherib’s forces besieged the city (2 Kings 19). The word captures not just a geographic location but the imposing presence of an empire that shaped the political landscape of the biblical world.
Translators typically render ashshur as "Assyria" or "Asshur," preserving the distinction between the ancestral figure and the state. While some passages focus on the land itself, others emphasize the Assyrians as a collective people. The consistent use of this name across centuries of biblical history highlights its significance as a symbol of imperial power and divine judgment in the narrative of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Assyria appears more than a hundred times in Scripture, standing not just for a distant land but for a powerful empire that often threatened God’s people. In the Old Testament narrative, it serves as an instrument of divine judgment against Israel and Judah when they turned away from covenant faithfulness. Yet even this formidable military power remained under the sovereign control of Yahweh, who used its strength to accomplish His purposes before eventually judging the Assyrians themselves for their pride.
For believers today, these accounts remind us that no political force or historical event escapes God’s oversight. When reading about the fall of Samaria or the siege of Jerusalem, we see both the seriousness of sin and the reliability of God’s word. The history of Assyria encourages us to trust in God’s ultimate justice, knowing that He remains Lord over all nations and histories.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 123 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Assyria114×
- Assyria/ towards5×
- from/ Assyria4×
- and/ Assyria2×
- and/ Asshur2×
- Asshur2×
- to/ Assyria1×
- in/ Assyria1×
- and/ to/ Assyria1×
- and/ in/ Assyria1×
- and/ from/ Assyria1×
- Asshur/ towards1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַשּׁ֔וּר28×
- אַשּׁ֖וּר16×
- אַשּׁ֑וּר16×
- אַשּֽׁוּר\׃14×
- אַשּׁוּר֙11×
- אַשּׁ֛וּר6×
- אַשּׁ֥וּר3×
- אַשּׁ֗וּר3×
- אַשּׁ֑וּרָ/ה3×
- מֵֽ/אַשּׁ֑וּר2×
- וְ/אַשּׁ֖וּר2×
- אַשּֽׁוּר\׃\ \פ2×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 17:6
In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
This verse records the final exile of the northern kingdom, showing Assyria as the specific agent through which God executed judgment on Israel.
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Genesis 10:11
Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah,
Here the text traces the origins of the empire to Nimrod’s expansion into Assyria, linking the political power to early Genesis genealogy.
-
II Kings 18:7
Yahweh was with him. Wherever he went, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria, and didn’t serve him.
This passage highlights Hezekiah’s rebellion against Assyrian domination, illustrating how God protected Judah when its king relied on Him rather than foreign alliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Assyria mean in the Bible?
Why is Assyria mentioned so frequently in the Old Testament?
How does Assyria relate to the history of Israel?
Every Occurrence (123 verses across 14 books)
Genesis 4 verses
The name of the third river is Hiddekel. This is the one which flows in front of Assyria. The fourth river is the…
Genesis 10:11Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah,
Genesis 10:22The sons of Shem were: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram.
Genesis 25:18They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.