Aram: Son of Shem
Jump to: Nave'sHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Aram is a significant figure in the genealogical records of the Bible, known as one of the sons of Shem, who was a son of Noah. The name "Aram" is often associated with the ancient region and people known as the Arameans, who played a crucial role in the history of the Near East.

Biblical Lineage and References

Aram is first mentioned in the Table of Nations, a genealogical record found in Genesis 10, which outlines the descendants of Noah's sons after the Flood. According to Genesis 10:22 , "The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram." This passage establishes Aram as a direct descendant of Shem, placing him within the Semitic lineage, which is significant for understanding the ethnic and cultural developments in the ancient Near East.

Descendants and Territories

The descendants of Aram are further detailed in the genealogical records. In Genesis 10:23 , it is stated, "The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash." These names are often associated with various regions and tribes in the ancient Near East. For instance, Uz is traditionally linked to the land where Job, the central figure of the Book of Job, resided.

The territory associated with Aram and his descendants is generally identified with the region of Aram-Naharaim, or Mesopotamia, and the area known as Aram-Damascus, which became a significant Aramean kingdom. The Arameans are frequently mentioned in the historical narratives of the Old Testament, often interacting with the Israelites.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Arameans, as descendants of Aram, played a vital role in the history of the ancient Near East. They are known for their language, Aramaic, which became a lingua franca of the region and was widely used during the time of the Persian Empire. Aramaic is also notable for its influence on the Hebrew language and its use in certain parts of the Old Testament, such as the books of Daniel and Ezra.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the Arameans are depicted in various interactions with the Israelites. They are often portrayed as adversaries, as seen in the accounts of conflicts between the Aramean kingdom of Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel. For example, in 2 Kings 6:8 , the Arameans are described as waging war against Israel: "Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the mention of Aram and his descendants underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Noah and his sons to repopulate the earth after the Flood. The genealogies serve to trace the spread of nations and peoples, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and the unfolding of God's plan through different lineages.

Aram's place in the biblical genealogies also emphasizes the theme of divine providence and the unfolding of history according to God's sovereign will. The interactions between the Arameans and the Israelites, as recorded in the Scriptures, reflect the broader narrative of God's dealings with the nations and His chosen people, Israel.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 10:22,23
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 1:17
The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew
758. Aram -- Syria and its inhab., also the names of a son of Shem ...
... From the same as 'armown; the highland; Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also
the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and of an Israelite -- Aram ...
/hebrew/758.htm - 6k

1666. Gether -- a descendant of Shem
... of Shem NASB Word Usage Gether (2). Gether. Of uncertain derivation; Gether, a son
of Aram, and the region settled by him -- Gether. 1665, 1666. ...
/hebrew/1666.htm - 5k

Library

How Every Nation was Denominated from their First Inhabitants.
... 4. Shem, the third son of Noah, had ... Aram had the Aramites, which the Greeks called
Syrians; as Laud founded the Laudites, which are now called Lydians. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how every nation.htm

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
... the highest sense, dwell by the incarnation of His Son. ... out; while, on the other
hand, to Shem and Japheth ... reverse is the case with reference to Aram, which is ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessings of noah upon.htm

Chapter xxii
... Aram, the son of Kemuel, presents a problem in that Genesis 10:22 Aram is mentioned
as one of the sons of Shem, and in that connection, without a doubt, as the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxii.htm

Chapter xi
... of Adam (Genesis 5:32) this history of Shem concludes with ... his daughter-in-law, the
wife of his son Abram, and ... to the city of Haran in Padan Aram, a distance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xi.htm

Chapter x
... last, we are not on that account to suppose that Shem was the youngest son of Noah. ...
The sons of Shem: Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... Aram, one of the sons of Japheth, settled in Syria ... northern part of Mesopotamia and
through his son, Uz, gave ... All the other sons of Shem and their descendants ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

Chapter xlviii
... of the family from Paddan (usually called Paddan-Aram). ... For the Son is God's messenger
or Angel, sent to ... upon them" the term "name" (shem) signifies "character ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Chapter xxv
... of Bethuel the Aramaean of Padan Aram, the sister ... for having the author recall that
Isaac was Abraham's son. ... Luther supposes that she will have consulted Shem. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... After these things, my son Er took to wife Tamar, from Mesopotamia, a daughter of
Aram. ... for Er, his first-born, a daughter of the great Shem, whose name ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... "There are three that can bear record in heaven" (1 John 5:7-9). These three are
called "the Father, the Son [Word], and the Holy Spirit"; each of which is ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Resources
Who was Rachel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Dothan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Damascus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Ahram

Aram

Aram: A Region North of Canaan

Aram: Son of Kemuel

Aram: Son of Shamer

Aram: Son of Shem

Aram: The Region Whence Balaam Came at Balak's Command

Related Terms

Paddan-aram (10 Occurrences)

Padan-aram (10 Occurrences)

Aram-naharaim (5 Occurrences)

Aram-zobah (2 Occurrences)

Aram-maacah (1 Occurrence)

Aram-maachah (1 Occurrence)

Padan-'aram (1 Occurrence)

Aram's (1 Occurrence)

Beth-aram (1 Occurrence)

Aram-rehob

Aram-dammesek

Aram-ma'acah (1 Occurrence)

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

Paddan (11 Occurrences)

Paddanaram

Charioteers (19 Occurrences)

Ben-ha'dad (26 Occurrences)

Aramean (17 Occurrences)

Ram (96 Occurrences)

Aramnaharaim

Haz'ael (21 Occurrences)

Syria (73 Occurrences)

Remali'ah (13 Occurrences)

Bene-ammon (44 Occurrences)

Uz (8 Occurrences)

Fleeth (54 Occurrences)

Aramaeans (49 Occurrences)

Consuming (26 Occurrences)

Abhorred (31 Occurrences)

Slayeth (28 Occurrences)

Jeho'ram (21 Occurrences)

Ben-hadad (27 Occurrences)

Laban (52 Occurrences)

Aramaean (13 Occurrences)

Zobah (15 Occurrences)

Kemuel (3 Occurrences)

Jeho'ahaz (20 Occurrences)

Eduth (3 Occurrences)

Michtam (12 Occurrences)

Mesopotamia (8 Occurrences)

Bethu'el (10 Occurrences)

Bethuel (10 Occurrences)

Aramzobah (1 Occurrence)

Semites

Shutting (43 Occurrences)

Semitic

Treasuries (36 Occurrences)

Arameans (61 Occurrences)

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)

Padanaram (10 Occurrences)

Ahazi'ah (33 Occurrences)

Gathereth (65 Occurrences)

Draweth (52 Occurrences)

Layeth (76 Occurrences)

Setteth (116 Occurrences)

Esau (89 Occurrences)

Smiting (76 Occurrences)

Kenath (2 Occurrences)

Naharaim (5 Occurrences)

Overpower (11 Occurrences)

Leaning (11 Occurrences)

Leaned (14 Occurrences)

Gether (2 Occurrences)

War-carriage (11 Occurrences)

Fighteth (23 Occurrences)

Tune (15 Occurrences)

Respected (28 Occurrences)

Rely (31 Occurrences)

Esrom (2 Occurrences)

Escapeth (11 Occurrences)

Defenses (8 Occurrences)

Maacah (30 Occurrences)

Miktam (6 Occurrences)

Meshech (11 Occurrences)

Mash (2 Occurrences)

Phares (2 Occurrences)

Pursueth (28 Occurrences)

Bowmen (13 Occurrences)

Aram: Son of Shamer
Top of Page
Top of Page