Reference: 2 Kings 5:12

Overview:
Abanah, also known as Amana in some translations, is one of the rivers mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament. It is referenced in the context of the account of Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram (Syria), who suffered from leprosy. The river is noted for its significance in the narrative involving Naaman's healing.

Biblical Context:
In 2 Kings 5, Naaman, a respected military leader, is afflicted with leprosy. Upon the advice of a captive Israelite girl, he seeks healing from the prophet Elisha in Israel. When Naaman arrives, Elisha sends a messenger to instruct him to wash seven times in the Jordan River to be cleansed of his leprosy. Naaman, initially angered by the simplicity of the instructions and the perceived slight of not being met by Elisha personally, questions why he should wash in the Jordan when the rivers of Damascus, specifically Abanah and Pharpar, are superior.

Biblical Quotation:
2 Kings 5:12 : "Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage."

Geographical and Historical Significance:
Abanah is identified with the modern Barada River, which flows through Damascus, the capital of modern-day Syria. The river is historically significant as it has been a vital water source for the city of Damascus, contributing to its fertility and prosperity. The mention of Abanah alongside Pharpar highlights the esteem in which these rivers were held by the people of Damascus, considered superior to the waters of Israel in Naaman's view.

Cultural and Theological Insights:
Naaman's reference to Abanah and Pharpar reflects the cultural pride and the natural beauty associated with these rivers. His initial reluctance to follow Elisha's instructions underscores a common biblical theme of faith and obedience over human reasoning and pride. The narrative ultimately demonstrates God's power and the importance of humility and faith, as Naaman's servants persuade him to follow the prophet's simple directive, leading to his miraculous healing.

Related Topics:
· Naaman
· Elisha
· Leprosy in the Bible
· Rivers in Biblical Narratives
· Miracles of Healing in the Old TestamentABANAH

ab'-a-na, a-ba'-na ('abhanah (Kethibh, Septuagint, Vulgate)), or AMANA a-ma'-na ('amanah (Qere, Peshitta, Targum); the King James Version Abana (American Standard Revised Version, margin Amana), the Revised Version (British and American) ABANAH (Revised Version, margin Amanah)): Mentioned in 2 Kings 5:12, along with the PHARPAR (which see), as one of the principal rivers of Damascus. The reading Amana (meaning possibly the "constant," or perennial stream) is on the whole preferable. Both forms of the name may have been in use, as the interchange of an aspirated b (bh = v) and m is not without parallel (compare Evil-merodach = Amilmarduk).

The Abanah is identified with the Chrysorrhoas ("golden stream") of the Greeks, the modern Nahr Barada (the "cold"), which rises in the Anti-Lebanon, one of its sources, the Ain Barada, being near the village of Zebedani, and flows in a southerly and then southeasterly direction toward Damascus. A few miles southeast of Suk Wady Barada (the ancient Abila; see ABILENE) the volume of the stream is more than doubled by a torrent of clear, cold water from the beautifully situated spring `Ain Fijeh (Greek pege, "fountain"), after which it flows through a picturesque gorge till it reaches Damascus, whose many fountains and gardens it supplies liberally with water. In the neighborhood of Damascus a number of streams branch off from the parent river, and spread out like an opening fan on the surrounding plain. The Barada, along with the streams which it feeds, loses itself in the marshes of the Meadow Lakes about 18 miles East of the city.

The water of the Barada, though not perfectly wholesome in the city itself, is for the most part clear and cool; its course is picturesque, and its value to Damascus, as the source alike of fertility and of charm, is inestimable.

C. H. Thomson

71. Abanah -- a river near Damascus
... 70, 71. Abanah. 72 . a river near Damascus. Transliteration: Abanah Phonetic
Spelling: (ab-aw-naw') Short Definition: Abanah. Word ...
/hebrew/71.htm - 6kAbanah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABANAH. ab'-a-na ... inestimable. CH Thomson.
Multi-Version Concordance Abanah (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings ...
/a/abanah.htm - 8k

Pharpar (1 Occurrence)
... Doctrines religieuses des juifs, 48;. See ABANAH. ... 2 Kings 5:12 Aren't Abanah and
Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? ...
/p/pharpar.htm - 7k

Abandon (31 Occurrences)

/a/abandon.htm - 15k

Rage (43 Occurrences)
... past. (See NIV). 2 Kings 5:12 Aren't Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of
Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn'tI ...
/r/rage.htm - 19k

Rivers (81 Occurrences)
... destruction. (BBE). 2 Kings 5:12 Aren't Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of
Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn'tI ...
/r/rivers.htm - 32k

Aba'na (1 Occurrence)
Aba'na. Abana, Aba'na. Abanah . Multi-Version Concordance Aba'na (1 Occurrence). ...
(See RSV). Abana, Aba'na. Abanah . Reference Bible.
/a/aba'na.htm - 6k

Amana (1 Occurrence)
... The Amana is most naturally sought in the Anti-Lebanon, near the course of the river
Abana, or Amana (see ABANAH). Another possible identification is with Mt. ...
/a/amana.htm - 7k

Amanah (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Amanah (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 5:12 Are not Abanah and
Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? ...
/a/amanah.htm - 7k

Abilene (1 Occurrence)
... This places it in the neighborhood of the village of Suk Wady Barada (see ABANAH),
near which there are considerable ancient remains, with an inscription in ...
/a/abilene.htm - 9k

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