Nisroch | Free Online Biblical Library

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Nisroch

NISROCH (nĭs'rŏk, Heb. nisrōkh). A god who was worshiped at Nineveh. In the temple of this god Sennacherib was killed by his two sons Adrammelech and Sharezer after his return from his disastrous experience near Jerusalem (Isa.37.36-Isa.37.38 repeated in 2Kgs.19.35-2Kgs.19.37). The name is not found elsewhere.

NISROCH nĭz’ rŏk (נִסְרֹ֣כְ). An Assyrian deity worshiped at Nineveh. After Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, returned from his loss near Jerusalem, he was murdered by his two sons Adrammelech and Sharezer while he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch, his god (Isa 37:36-38). Sennacherib was apparently “smashed with statues of protective deities” (ANET2, p. 288) as well as being “slain with the sword” (2 Kings 19:37).

Since the name Nisroch is completely unknown in the source material for Mesopotamian religion, a textual corruption is assumed. This textual problem is also reflected in the variants of the Gr. VSS. Although many ingenious suggestions have been presented, the term remains uncertain.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

nis’-rok, niz’-rok (nicrokh): The Assyrian god in whose temple Sennacherib was worshipping when put to death by his sons (2Ki 19:37; Isa 37:38). The name is not found elsewhere. Some identify him with Asshur, the national deity.

See Religion of Babylonia and Assyria.