Lexical Summary Aram Tsobah: Aram-Zobah Original Word: אֲרַם צוֹבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Aram-zobah From 'Aram and Tsowba'; Aram of Tsoba (or Coele-Syria) -- Aram-zobah. see HEBREW 'Aram see HEBREW Tsowba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee Aram and Tsoba. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Aram Zobah designates the Aramean kingdom whose power center lay north of Damascus, stretching toward the Beqaa Valley and the upper Orontes. Its terrain of fertile plains and strategic mountain passes gave it control of caravan routes between Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, and the Syrian desert—an advantage that explains its frequent appearance in accounts of Near-Eastern warfare. Contemporary inscriptions, such as the ninth-century Kurkh Monolith, locate Zobah among the city-states that later formed the broader coalition known as Aram-Damascus. Historical Background During the reign of Saul, Aram Zobah was already a military factor in Israel’s northern sphere (1 Samuel 14:47). By David’s time it had grown under King Hadadezer, who ruled “as far as the Euphrates River” (2 Samuel 8:3). David’s campaigns broke this expansion, captured vast quantities of bronze, gold, and silver (2 Samuel 8:7-8), and placed garrisons in the region (1 Chronicles 18:6). These victories neutralized a threat, opened trade corridors, and confirmed the Lord’s promise that Israel’s king would “rule from the River to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8). Biblical Occurrence of Strong 760 The heading of Psalm 60 situates the psalm “when he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt”. This singular notation (Strong H760) highlights Aram Zobah as one of two northern foes that provoked the psalm’s cry: “You have shaken the land and torn it open” (Psalm 60:2). The superscription is not a mere editorial comment—it ties the military context to the spiritual reality that victory comes only when Israel returns to covenant faithfulness (Psalm 60:11-12). Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations The decisive subjugation of Aram Zobah illustrates that the Lord “makes wars cease to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 46:9). Political powers rise and fall at His command, reinforcing the prophecy that all kingdoms ultimately serve His redemptive agenda. 2. Covenant Expansion David’s victories enlarged Israel’s borders toward the Euphrates, foreshadowing the broader reign of the Messiah. The inclusion of plunder from Zobah in temple preparations (1 Chronicles 18:8) signifies that materials from once-hostile nations would one day adorn the dwelling place of God—anticipating the ingathering of Gentiles into the Church (Isaiah 60:6-7; Ephesians 2:14-16). 3. Spiritual Warfare Paradigm Psalm 60 juxtaposes military language with supplication, modeling how believers engage present battles: prayer preceding strategy, trust outweighing numbers. “With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies” (Psalm 60:12). Messianic and Redemptive Connections The subjugation of Aram Zobah under David prefigures Christ’s ultimate conquest of all hostile powers (Colossians 2:15). The northern threat becomes a type of cosmic opposition subdued by the true Son of David, whose kingdom knows no geopolitical limits (Luke 1:32-33). Archaeological Corroboration Artifacts from Tell Halaf and regional stelae confirm an Aramean polity controlling copper and textile trade in the tenth and ninth centuries BC, consistent with the biblical depiction of Hadadezer’s wealth. Such findings buttress Scripture’s historical reliability, showing that the chronicler’s numbers and tribute lists reflect genuine geopolitical realities. Application for Ministry • Intercession before Action: Psalm 60 urges leaders to seek divine favor before confronting challenges. Congregations today can incorporate corporate lament and petition when facing cultural hostility. Key Cross-References 1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:3-8, 13; 2 Samuel 10:6, 16; 1 Kings 11:23-24; 1 Chronicles 18:3-8; Psalm 60; Isaiah 60:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; Colossians 2:15. Forms and Transliterations צ֫וֹבָ֥ה צובה ṣō·w·ḇāh ṣōwḇāh tzoVahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 60:1 HEB: וְאֶת־ אֲרַ֪ם צ֫וֹבָ֥ה וַיָּ֤שָׁב יוֹאָ֗ב KJV: with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab INT: Aham-naharaim for Aramzobah restore Joab 1 Occurrence |
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