Dictionary Summary: Second son of Shem ([Gen. 10:22](/gen#Gen.10.22); [1 Chr. 1:17](/1chr#1Chr.1.17)). He went from the land of Shinar and built Nineveh, etc. ([Gen. 10:11](/gen#Gen.10.11), [12](/gen#Gen.10.12)). 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](/num#Num.24.22), [24](/num#Num.24.24); [Ezek. 27:23](/ezek#Ezek.27.23), etc.). In [Gen. 2:14](/gen#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. (See CALAH; NINEVEH.) ²