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 Genesis 10:12 ). 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 Numbers 24:24 ; 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 .)

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.