The King of Assyria, referenced in the Book of Mormon, signifies a monarch of the ancient Assyrian Empire during the times of the biblical prophets. Notably, the writings of Isaiah, which were included in the Nephite record by Nephi, speak of the Assyrian ruler’s actions and the divine perspective on his reign. One such king during the period from 747 to 734 B.C. was Tiglath-pileser, mentioned in the Old Testament and known for his military campaigns and the expansion of the Assyrian Empire.
In the narrative, the King of Assyria embodies the themes of pride, arrogance, and eventual downfall as a cautionary figure, illustrating that worldly power and glory are ultimately subservient to divine decree and purpose (2 Nephi 20:12). The Lord, through Isaiah’s prophecy, declares that He will punish the Assyrian ruler’s proud heart after His work is accomplished in Jerusalem, serving as a symbol of the downfall of the ungodly and the high-handed. His boasts are likened to inanimate tools—such as an axe or a saw—mistakenly glorifying themselves instead of acknowledging the hand that wields them (2 Nephi 20:15).
Complementing these direct admonitions, Isaiah’s prophecies also foretell the end of Israel’s oppression at the hands of the Assyrian king, emphasizing a time when the remnants of Israel will no longer lean on their oppressor but will trust in the Lord (2 Nephi 20:20). The narrative portrays the Assyrian ruler as an unwitting instrument in God’s hands, part of the larger tapestry of the Lord’s designs, which also encompass the fate of other nations such as Babylon (2 Nephi 23:1).
Furthermore, the allegory of the olive tree in Jacob 5 mentions the grafting of wild olive branches, symbolizing foreign kings, including the Assyrian and Babylonian rulers, supplanting the failing Israelite leaders. This imagery serves as a metaphor for divine interventions in human affairs, where the pruning and cultivation of the Lord’s vineyard represent His care and purpose in guiding the destinies of nations and their rulers.