Aleppo, known in ancient times as Halab, is a city of significant historical and biblical interest, located in modern-day Syria. Although not directly mentioned by name in the Bible, Aleppo's geographical and historical context provides insight into its relevance during biblical times.

Geographical Context

Aleppo is situated in the northwestern part of Syria, strategically positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and the Euphrates River. This location made it a vital hub for trade and cultural exchange in the ancient Near East. The city lies approximately 70 miles inland from the Mediterranean coast and has historically served as a crossroads for various civilizations, including the Hittites, Arameans, Assyrians, and later the Greeks and Romans.

Historical Significance

Aleppo's history dates back to at least the third millennium BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. During the biblical era, Aleppo was part of the region known as Aram, which frequently interacted with the Israelites. The Arameans, with their capital in Damascus, were often in conflict with the northern kingdom of Israel, as recorded in the Old Testament.

Biblical Connections

While Aleppo itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the region of Aram and its interactions with Israel are well-documented. For instance, in 2 Kings 5, the account of Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, highlights the interactions between the Arameans and the Israelites. Naaman's healing from leprosy by the prophet Elisha underscores the complex relationship between these neighboring peoples.

Additionally, the prophet Amos speaks of the judgment against Damascus, the capital of Aram, in Amos 1:3-5 : "This is what the LORD says: 'For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron. So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad. I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,' says the LORD."

Cultural and Religious Influence

Aleppo's long history as a center of trade and culture contributed to its diverse religious landscape. The city has been home to various religious communities, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The Christian presence in Aleppo dates back to the early centuries of the church, with the city serving as a significant center for Eastern Christianity.

Modern Relevance

In recent years, Aleppo has gained international attention due to the Syrian civil war, which has caused significant destruction and loss of life in the city. Despite the challenges, Aleppo remains a symbol of resilience and a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations that once thrived in the region.

Aleppo's rich history and its connections to the biblical world continue to be a subject of interest for scholars and believers alike, offering a glimpse into the complex tapestry of the ancient Near East and its enduring impact on the world today.ALEPPO

a-lep'-o. See BEREA.

Of Eusebius Bishop of Samosata.
... cf. Book II.[p. 86. [818] Acacius of Beroea (Aleppo) was later an opponent of
Chrysostom and of Cyril, but in his old age of more than 100 in 436. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter iv of eusebius bishop of.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... The second tetrarchy was the Aleppian, from its metropolis Aleppo, which is washed
by a branch of the Euphrates, and therefore derived from one of the sultans. ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

The Gospel According to St. Matthew
... it was still preserved at Caesarea, and that the Nazarenes, a Jewish Christian sect
of Palestine, allowed him to transcribe a copy of it at Beroea (now Aleppo ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iii the gospel according.htm

Books Printed for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge;
... Sketches of) 0 3 """- Henri Quatre 0 4 """- Howard the Philanthropist 2 4 Marlborough
(Duke of), Life of the 1 9 Maundrell's Journey to Aleppo 2 0 ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /books printed for the society.htm

Matthew
... cf. Lightfoot, Ignatius v. 2. p. 295. [2351] Nazarenes=Nasaraei. See Smith and Wace
sv. [2352] Beroea some mss. read Veria and so Herding. The modern Aleppo. ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter iii matthew.htm

Of the Boldness of Speech of the Decurion of Beroea.
... rank of Curiales or Decuriones. The Beroea mentioned is presumably the Syrian
Beroea now Haleb or Aleppo. [653] The word thus translated ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xvii of the boldness of.htm

To the Bishop Theoctistus.
... Footnotes: [1670] Bp. of the Syrian Beroea. He succeeded Acacius in 437. cf. Ep.
134. [1671] Titus 3:14. [1672] ie The Syrian Beroea, Aleppo or Haleb. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xxxii to the bishop theoctistus.htm

Of the Holy Monk Julianus.
... Vit. Pat. ii.) afterward envoy from the Syrian churches to Rome, and Bishop of
Beroea, (Aleppo) ad 378. He was at Constantinople in 381, (cf. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxiv of the holy monk.htm

Letter ccxx. To the Ber??ans.
... unworthily for your brave deeds. Footnotes: [2868] Placed in 375. [2869] The
Syrian Ber??a, Aleppo, or Haleb. cf. Letter clxxxv. p. 222. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxx to the beraeans.htm

Place of S. Cyril's Lectures.
... when the gates of hell were burst, gave back the Body in newness of life." On this
passage Dr. Routh remarks that Maundrell, Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter viii place of s cyrils.htm

Aleppo
Aleppo. Aleph, Aleppo. Alert . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ALEPPO.
a-lep'-o. See BEREA. Aleph, Aleppo. Alert . Reference Bible.
/a/aleppo.htm - 6k

Beroea (4 Occurrences)
... The name "Aleppo" came to us through the Venetian traders in the days before the
great overland route to India via Aleppo lost its importance through the ...
/b/beroea.htm - 11k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... Some regard it as the sherbin tree, a cypress resembling the cedar; others, the
Aleppo or maritime pine (Pinus halepensis), which resembles the Scotch fir ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Pine (28 Occurrences)
... translated tidhhar (Isaiah 41:19) by ptelea, the "elm." The elm, Ulmus campestris,
is rare in Palestine and the Lebanon, though it is found today N. of Aleppo. ...
/p/pine.htm - 17k

Carchemish (3 Occurrences)
... An exceedingly ancient Hittite city on the banks of the Euphrates, identified with
Jerablus (Hierapolis) about 23 hours from Aleppo, between Birejik and Membij ...
/c/carchemish.htm - 13k

Helbon (1 Occurrence)
... It has been usually identified with the modern Aleppo, called Haleb by the native
Arabs, but is more probably to be found in one of the villages in the Wady ...
/h/helbon.htm - 8k

Alert (19 Occurrences)

/a/alert.htm - 11k

Tree (245 Occurrences)
... translated tidhhar (Isaiah 41:19) by ptelea, the "elm." The elm, Ulmus campestris,
is rare in Palestine and the Lebanon, though it is found today N. of Aleppo. ...
/t/tree.htm - 75k

Knees (47 Occurrences)
... no doubt that the "boil or botch of Egypt" is identical with the disease known to
modern medicine as bouton du Nil, Biskra button, Bagdad or Aleppo sore. ...
/k/knees.htm - 23k

Goldsmith (6 Occurrences)
... are houses in Damascus and Aleppo still possessing beautiful gold overlaid work
on wooden walls and ceilings, the work of goldsmiths of several centuries ago. ...
/g/goldsmith.htm - 12k

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