Bible Dictionary
Asshur
Asshur was a son of Shem and the name associated with Assyria. It also denotes the ancient Assyrian people and land, centered originally around the city of Ashur.
Definition
Asshur was the second son of Shem and the name associated with Assyria. The name also refers to the ancient Assyrian capital and is sometimes retained instead of being translated “Assyria.”
Biblical Usage
Asshur appears in genealogical passages as a son of Shem and in geographical passages as the name of the land or people associated with Assyria.
Historical Background
The original capital of Assyria was Asshur, represented by the mounds of Kalah Sherghat on the west bank of the Tigris. At a later time the capital was transferred to Nineveh.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Second son of Shem (Gen. 10:22; 1 Chr. 1:17). He went from the land of Shinar and built Nineveh, etc. (Gen. 10:11, 12). He probably gave his name to Assyria, which is the usual translation of the word, although the form Asshur is sometimes retained (Num. 24:22, 24; Ezek. 27:23, etc.). In Gen. 2:14 “Assyria” ought to be “Asshur,” which was the original capital of Assyria, a city represented by the mounds of Kalah Sherghat, on the west bank of the Tigris. This city was founded by Bel-kap-kapu about B.C. 1700. At a later date the capital was shifted to Ninua, or Nineveh, now Koyunjik, on the eastern bank of the river. (See CALAH; NINEVEH.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
second son of Shem, (Genesis 10:22) also the Hebrew form for Assyria. [Assyria, Asshur]