Lexical Summary Damaskos: Damascus Original Word: Δαμασκός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Damascus. Of Hebrew origin (Dammeseq); Damascus, a city of Syria -- Damascus. see HEBREW Dammeseq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Dammeseq Definition Damascus, a city of Syria NASB Translation Damascus (15). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1154: ΔαμασκόςΔαμασκός, Δαμασκοῦ, ἡ, Damascus (Hebrew דַּמֶשֶׂק), a very ancient (Genesis 14:15), celebrated, flourishing city of Syria, lying in a most lovely and fertile plain at the eastern base of Antilibanus. It had a great number of Jews among its inhabitants (Josephus, b. j. 2, 20, 2 cf. 7, 8, 7). Still one of the most opulent cities of western Asia, having about 109,000 inhabitants ("in 1859 about 150,000; of these 6,000 were Jews, and 15,000 Christians" (Porter)): Acts 9:2ff; Topical Lexicon Historical Setting Damascus, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, lay on the main trade route linking Mesopotamia with the Mediterranean. Fertile plains, abundant water from the Barada River, and fortifications made it a coveted prize for empires from Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. By the first century it hosted large Jewish, Nabataean, and Greco-Roman populations, functioning as a cosmopolitan hub where ideas and goods flowed freely. Old Testament Background Although Strong’s 1154 appears only in the Greek New Testament, the city figures prominently in Hebrew Scripture. Abram’s heir-apparent was “Eliezer of Damascus” (Genesis 15:2). David fought Arameans of Damascus (2 Samuel 8:5-6), and prophets denounced the city for cruelty (Amos 1:3-5; Isaiah 17:1-3). These earlier texts prepare the reader to see Damascus as a stage where God’s redemptive purposes will again unfold. New Testament Occurrences The name occurs fifteen times, concentrated in Luke’s record of Saul’s conversion and Paul’s later testimonies, with a single reference in Galatians and another in 2 Corinthians. • Narrative accounts: Acts 9:2-27 describes events “on the road to Damascus” and in the city itself. Damascus and the Conversion of Saul “Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him” (Acts 9:3). The risen Jesus chose the gates of Damascus to confront the chief persecutor of the church, turning Saul into Paul, apostle to the nations. Three days of blindness in Damascus (Acts 9:8-9) echo Israel’s prophets, who often met God in weakness before ministry. Through the obedience of Ananias—“Brother Saul, receive your sight” (Acts 22:13)—the city became the birthplace of Paul’s baptism, filling with the Holy Spirit, and initial preaching (Acts 9:20-22). A Haven and a Crucible Paul “confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus” (Acts 9:22) but soon faced deadly plots. He escaped when disciples lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall (Acts 9:25; 2 Corinthians 11:33). The city thus served both as refuge and as proving ground, illustrating that gospel advance often meets immediate opposition. Strategic Role in Apostolic Mission Galatians 1:17 notes that after Arabia, Paul “returned once more to Damascus.” The statement links Arabian solitude, likely Nabataean territory under King Aretas IV, with renewal of ministry in the same city. Thus Damascus bridges Paul’s private formation and public proclamation. Theological Significance 1. Sovereignty of Christ: Choosing a notorious city rather than Jerusalem underscores that Jesus reigns beyond traditional centers. Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • God often meets people en route to carry out misguided zeal, redirecting them decisively. Key Passages to Reflect On Acts 9:3-6; Acts 9:20-25; Acts 22:6-16; Acts 26:12-20; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33; Galatians 1:17. Forms and Transliterations Δαμασκον Δαμασκόν Δαμασκὸν Δαμασκω Δαμασκῷ Damasko Damaskō Damaskôi Damaskō̂i Damaskon Damaskón DamaskònLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 9:2 N-AFSGRK: ἐπιστολὰς εἰς Δαμασκὸν πρὸς τὰς NAS: from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so KJV: letters to Damascus to the synagogues, INT: letters to Damascus to the Acts 9:3 N-DFS Acts 9:8 N-AFS Acts 9:10 N-DFS Acts 9:19 N-DFS Acts 9:22 N-DFS Acts 9:27 N-DFS Acts 22:5 N-AFS Acts 22:6 N-DFS Acts 22:10 N-AFS Acts 22:11 N-AFS Acts 26:12 N-AFS Acts 26:20 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 11:32 N-DFS Galatians 1:17 N-AFS Strong's Greek 1154 |
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