People of the Bible

Asshur, son of Shem

Asshur is mentioned in 5 verses of the Bible, first in Genesis 10:11.

Family of Asshur

Father

Siblings

Who was Asshur?

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.)

Biography adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain, linked via Theographic Bible Metadata.

Key verses about Asshur

  • Genesis 10:11

    Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,

  • Genesis 10:22

    The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

  • Numbers 24:22

    Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

  • Numbers 24:24

    And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

  • 1 Chronicles 1:17

    The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.