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.