Nisroch

Nisroch is the name of an Assyrian deity mentioned in the Bible in connection with the death of King Sennacherib of Assyria. According to 2Ki.19.37 and Isaiah 37:38, Sennacherib was worshipping in the temple of Nisroch when he was assassinated by his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer, who then fled to the land of Ararat.

The exact identity of Nisroch is uncertain, as this name does not appear in any known Assyrian or Babylonian texts or inscriptions. Some scholars suggest that Nisroch may be a corruption or a variant spelling of the name of a known Assyrian deity, such as Nusku, the god of fire and light, or Ninurta, the god of hunting and war.

Another theory proposes that Nisroch might have been a deity associated with agriculture or vegetation, based on a possible etymological connection with the Hebrew word "neser," which means "branch" or "shoot." However, this theory lacks substantial evidence.

The biblical account of Sennacherib's death in the temple of Nisroch is consistent with ancient Near Eastern practices, where kings often worshipped and made offerings in the temples of their gods. The assassination of Sennacherib by his own sons while worshipping in the temple may also be seen as an act of divine judgment, as Sennacherib had previously blasphemed against the Lord and threatened Jerusalem (2Kings 18-19; Isaiah 36-37).

Although the specific identity of Nisroch remains a mystery, the mention of this deity in the Bible provides insight into the religious practices of the Assyrian kings and the historical context of Sennacherib's reign and demise.