Where is nineveh located on a map today

You could think of it along the lines of whatever big city in our country you think kind of captures and conveys some of the chief values and characteristics of American culture. That would be what Ninevah symbolized and conveyed to the readers of the book of Jonah. I don't have exact figures for the population or the size of Ninevah at the time the book of Jonah was written or at the time when Jonah actually made his visit to the city.

But it was certainly large enough that it was significant and influential. That may have been more because of its cultural influence than it was to its actual population. But it was big enough to make an impact big enough to be known. Ninevah has kind of a very long and a very interesting history as a city. It's mentioned in Genesis 10 as being one of the oldest and most influential cities of the Mesopotamian region, going back to time immemorial.

So Ninevah is clearly a very ancient city with a culture that is exercised broad influence throughout the ages. But in terms of its political importance, the city of Ninevah didn't really reach its apex of political importance until around the year BC, which is when Sennacherib chose to have the capital of the Assyrian empire moved to that location.

Now, prior to this time, Ninevah was a city of some renown and of some cultural influence, but it was when Sennacherib made it the capital of his regime that it moved to its prominence, that it became the great and famous city that it is in the book of Jonah.

So that's really when it hits apex. Now, it's demise is conveniently recorded for us in the book of Nahum, because that prophet is the one who celebrates, rejoices over the city's downfall and who describes in pretty gory detail. So, this would be around or a little later that the city of Ninevah finally is destroyed and reaches its end and a new city takes its place as the center of attention, and that of course would be Babylon.

Where is Nineveh? Where is the city of Ninevah? The prophet Jonah. You may unsubscribe from these email communications at any time. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at yourprivacy harpercollins. Add this:. View The Map Gallery. Related Content 3. Art and Archaeology of Nineveh The Assyrian empire based at Nineveh fundamentally shaped the history and literature of ancient Israel.

Nineveh Biblical references to the Neo-Assyrian city of Nineveh reflect not only the historical situation of the eighth century B. A broad, diverse group of nations ruled by the government of a single nation.

Jonah 3So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Browse by subject - click on a letter below. Home People Places Passages Bibles. Presented by:.