Bible Dictionaries
Asshur

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Second son of Shem (Genesis 10:22; 1 Chronicles 1:17 ). He went from the land of Shinar and built Nineveh, etc. (Genesis 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 (Numbers 24:22,24; Ezekiel 27:23 , etc.). In Genesis 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 .)