Assyria

Assyria, also known as Ashur in the Bible, is a Semitic kingdom that played a central role in biblical history. Founded by Ashur, son of Shem, one of Noah's sons, Assyria was a powerful empire that dominated the Middle East from the ninth to the seventh century BC. Assyria is mentioned 128 times in the Bible, and its history begins in Genesis chapter 2, verse 14. Assyria was an enemy of God's earthly people and was sometimes used as a “disciplinary rod” for his people.