Naharaim, often referred to as "Aram-Naharaim" in the Bible, is a geographical term that appears in the Old Testament. The name "Naharaim" is derived from the Hebrew word for "two rivers," indicating a region situated between two significant watercourses. This area is traditionally identified with the region of Mesopotamia, specifically the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Naharaim is mentioned in several biblical passages, highlighting its historical and theological significance.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 24:10 · In the account of Isaac's marriage, Abraham's servant travels to Aram-Naharaim to find a wife for Isaac. The verse states, "Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Aram-Naharaim, to Nahor’s city." This passage underscores the connection between the patriarchal family and the region, as Nahor, Abraham's brother, had settled there.

2. Deuteronomy 23:4 · The people of Naharaim are indirectly referenced in the context of Balaam, who was hired by Balak to curse Israel. The verse reads, "For they did not meet you with bread and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-Naharaim to curse you." This highlights the region's involvement in the events surrounding Israel's journey to the Promised Land.

3. Judges 3:8 · During the period of the Judges, Naharaim is mentioned in the context of Israel's oppression by foreign powers. "Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram-Naharaim, and the Israelites served him for eight years." This passage illustrates the geopolitical influence of Naharaim and its rulers over Israel during this tumultuous period.

4. Psalm 60:1 · The superscription of this psalm refers to a military campaign involving Naharaim: "For the choirmaster. To the tune of 'The Lily of the Covenant.' A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-Naharaim and Aram-Zobah, and Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt." This reference indicates the military interactions between Israel and the forces of Naharaim during King David's reign.

Historical and Theological Context:

Naharaim, as a part of the larger region of Mesopotamia, was a cradle of ancient civilization and a center of early human history. The area was known for its advanced culture, writing systems, and significant cities such as Ur and Babylon. In the biblical narrative, Naharaim serves as a backdrop for several key events, including the origins of the patriarchs and the interactions between Israel and surrounding nations.

Theologically, Naharaim represents both a place of origin and a source of external threat. It is the homeland of the patriarchs' relatives, yet it also becomes a region from which adversaries arise. This duality reflects the complex relationship between God's chosen people and the surrounding nations, emphasizing themes of faithfulness, divine providence, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history.3573. Kushan Rishathayim -- king of Aram-naharaim
... king of Aram-naharaim. Transliteration: Kushan Rishathayim Phonetic Spelling:
(koo-shan' rish-aw-thah'-yim) Short Definition: Cushan-rishathaim. ...
/hebrew/3573.htm - 6k

763. Aram Naharayim -- "Aram of (the) two rivers," a district of ...
... Aham-naharaim, Mesopotamia. From 'Aram and the dual of nahar; Aram of (the) two
rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) or Mesopotamia -- Aham-naharaim, Mesopotamia. ...
/hebrew/763.htm - 6k

The Nations of the North-East
... kindred people from the highlands of Armenia established a kingdom in Mesopotamia
known as that of Mitanni to its own subjects, as that of Aram-Naharaim to the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

Psalm 60
... To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove
with Aram-naharaim, and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned and smote of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 60.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... Orontes. The King of Mitanni rallied round him the princes of Naharaim, and
awaited the attack of the Egyptians near Aruna. Thutmosis ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... their agricultural character: the forest between Jaffa and Mount Carmel,
Megiddo-The three routes beyond Megiddo: Qodshu-Alasia, Naharaim, Garchemish; Mitanni ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Appendices
... in southern Palestine cir.1230 Chushan-rishathaim of Aram-Naharaim or Mitanni conquers
Canaan cir.1225 Saul elected King of Israel cir.1020 Accession of David ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... and Shardanians"had pillaged it on many occasions, and in the invasion which followed
these attacks it experienced as little mercy as Naharaim, the Khati ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Chapter xxiv
... ten of his master's camels and set out, and all sorts of his master's valuables
were in his possession; and he arose and set out for Aram Naharaim, for the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... On arriving at Naharaim, however, we know that he came into contact with the army
of the enemy, which was under the command of a single general"perhaps the ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Canaan
... Eighteenth dynasty. This was the kingdom of Aram Naharaim, called Naharina
in the Egyptian texts, Mitanni by its own inhabitants. The ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... In the north, we have the country of the two rivers"the Naharaim"extending from
the Orontes to the Euphrates and the Balikh, or even as far as the Khabur ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Naharaim (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Naharaim (5 Occurrences). Genesis 24:10 And the
servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and ...
/n/naharaim.htm - 8k

Aram-naharaim (5 Occurrences)
Aram-naharaim. Aramnaharaim, Aram-naharaim. Aramrehob . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARAM-NAHARAIM. a-ram-na-ha-ra'-im. See SYRIA. ...
/a/aram-naharaim.htm - 9k

Eduth (3 Occurrences)
... Michtam of David, to teach; and when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with
Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve ...
/e/eduth.htm - 8k

Michtam (12 Occurrences)
... Michtam of David, to teach; and when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with
Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve ...
/m/michtam.htm - 11k

Chushanrishathaim (2 Occurrences)
... following Joshua (Judges 3:8). We learn from the Tell-el-Amarna tablets that Palestine
had been invaded by the forces of Aram-naharaim (AV, "Mesopotamia") more ...
/c/chushanrishathaim.htm - 8k

Chushan-rishathaim (2 Occurrences)
... following Joshua (Judges 3:8). We learn from the Tell-el-Amarna tablets that Palestine
had been invaded by the forces of Aram-naharaim (AV, "Mesopotamia") more ...
/c/chushan-rishathaim.htm - 8k

Aram-zobah (2 Occurrences)
... Michtam of David, to teach; and when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with
Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve ...
/a/aram-zobah.htm - 7k

Aramnaharaim
... Syria." Padan-aram (qv) was a portion of this country. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ARAM-NAHARAIM. a-ram-na-ha-ra'-im. See SYRIA. ...
/a/aramnaharaim.htm - 7k

Aram (130 Occurrences)
... ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; now all the treasure of his
master was under his hand; and he arose and went to Aram-naharaim, to the ...
/a/aram.htm - 40k

Treasure (66 Occurrences)
... ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; now all the treasure of his
master was under his hand; and he arose and went to Aram-naharaim, to the ...
/t/treasure.htm - 36k

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