Nineveh
“Possibly dwelling of Ninus, or derived from Assyrian 'Nin' (a deity)”
Summary
Nineveh was the capital of the ancient Assyrian Empire, a city of immense size and power that was the subject of Jonah's preaching and whose destruction was prophesied by Nahum and Zephaniah.
☩Foundation and Location
Nineveh was founded by Nimrod, who went out from the land of Shinar to Assyria and built Nineveh along with Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen. The city was situated on the eastern bank of the Tigris River, at the point where the Khosr River falls into the Tigris. Hence Assyria was subsequently known to the Jews as 'the land of Nimrod.' The name appears to be derived from the Assyrian deity 'Nin,' corresponding to the Greek Hercules, and occurring in the names of several Assyrian kings, including 'Ninus,' the mythical founder of the city according to Greek tradition.
☩Size and Population
Nineveh was described as an 'exceeding great city of three days' journey' to traverse, suggesting a circumference of approximately sixty miles. The population was vast; when Jonah preached there, the city contained 120,000 persons who could not discern between their right hand and their left, which if referring to children would suggest a total population of about 600,000. Within its walls were gardens, pastures for much cattle, and pleasure grounds. The walls were reportedly 100 feet high with 1,500 towers, and broad enough for three chariots abreast.
☩Jonah's Mission
The book of Jonah records God's command to the prophet to preach against Nineveh because of its great wickedness. When Jonah finally obeyed after his experience in the great fish, the people of Nineveh believed God, led by the king they humbled themselves, fasted, and ceased from their evil deeds. God saw their repentance and relented from the destruction He had threatened. The king at that time was possibly Shalmaneser II.
☩Prophetic Judgment and Destruction
Nahum and Zephaniah prophesied Nineveh's complete destruction. Nahum called it 'the city of blood,' full of lies and robbery, and foretold that fire would destroy it and an overrunning flood would make an utter end of the place. The prophecy was fulfilled in 612 BC when Cyaxares the Mede, aided by Nabopolassar of Babylon, besieged the city. After initial failures, an extraordinary rise of the Tigris swept away part of the walls, allowing the attackers to enter. The last Assyrian king, Saracus, burned himself in his palace, and the conquerors gave the entire city over to flames. The city never rose again, fulfilling Nahum's words, 'there is no healing of thy bruise.'
☩Archaeological Rediscovery
Nineveh's destruction was so complete that for centuries its very location was forgotten. The principal ruins were discovered in the 19th century and include the mounds at Kouyunjik and Nebi Yunus opposite modern Mosul, Nimrud (ancient Calah) to the southeast, and Khorsabad to the northeast. Excavations revealed extensive palaces with walls faced by sculptured slabs depicting military operations, hunting scenes, and mythological figures, along with the royal library of Ashurbanipal containing thousands of clay tablets, including accounts of the creation and the flood that parallel biblical narratives.
Related Verses24 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Nineveh," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Nineveh," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Nineveh," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Nineveh," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).