Ararat is a region of significant biblical and historical importance, often associated with the resting place of Noah's Ark. The name "Ararat" appears in the Bible primarily in the context of the Genesis flood narrative and in prophetic literature.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 8:4 : "On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat." This verse marks the first mention of Ararat in the Bible, identifying it as the location where Noah's Ark settled after the floodwaters receded. The "mountains of Ararat" are traditionally understood to refer to a mountainous region rather than a single peak, suggesting a broader area within the ancient kingdom of Urartu, known today as part of modern-day Armenia and eastern Turkey.

2. 2 Kings 19:37 and Isaiah 37:38 : Both passages recount the assassination of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, by his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer. After the murder, they fled to the land of Ararat. "And as he was worshiping in the house of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat." These references highlight Ararat as a known region during the time of the Assyrian Empire, providing a place of refuge for the king's sons.

3. Jeremiah 51:27 : "Lift up a banner in the land! Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her. Summon the kingdoms against her—Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a commander against her; send up horses like a swarm of locusts." In this prophetic context, Ararat is mentioned as part of a coalition of kingdoms summoned to rise against Babylon. This indicates the geopolitical significance of Ararat during the prophetic era.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Ararat, known in ancient times as Urartu, was a powerful kingdom that flourished between the 9th and 6th centuries BC. It was located in the highlands surrounding Lake Van, encompassing parts of modern-day Armenia, eastern Turkey, and northwestern Iran. The region is characterized by its rugged terrain and significant elevation, with Mount Ararat being the most prominent peak, traditionally identified as the resting place of Noah's Ark.

Mount Ararat itself is a dormant volcanic cone, standing at 5,137 meters (16,854 feet), making it the highest peak in Turkey. The mountain has held a place of reverence and intrigue throughout history, not only for its biblical associations but also for its imposing presence and the numerous expeditions seeking to find remnants of the Ark.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In Christian tradition, Ararat holds a place of profound theological significance as the site where God's covenant with Noah was renewed, symbolizing a new beginning for humanity. The narrative of the Ark resting on the mountains of Ararat serves as a powerful reminder of God's judgment and mercy, as well as His faithfulness to His promises.

The region of Ararat, with its historical and biblical connections, continues to be a subject of interest for archaeologists, theologians, and historians alike. Its mention in various biblical texts underscores its importance in the ancient Near Eastern world and its enduring legacy in the Judeo-Christian tradition.Jeremiah 51:27
Set you up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillars.
Nave's Topical Index

780. Ararat -- a district in E. Armenia
... 779, 780. Ararat. 781 . a district in E. Armenia. Transliteration: Ararat
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-aw-rat') Short Definition: Ararat. ...
/hebrew/780.htm - 5k

Babylonia and Assyria
... we learn from a cadastral survey of the district of Lagas ... the tribes of Media and
southern Armenia were defeated ... a new and formidable power, that of Ararat or Van ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ...
... point us northwards, through India, Armenia, the Kurdish ... probability, been identified
with the land of Ararat. ... they had been banished: the district around the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the jewish world.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... and Guzan, has been relegated by the older Assyriologists to Eastern Armenia, and
the ... I. on the western slope of the Masios, in the district of Khalzidipkha ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Editor's Preface
... In Armenia, also, equally important inscriptions have been found by ... The whole of
the district in which Muzazir ... was regarded as the southern province of Ararat. ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 1/editors preface.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... a long time supposed that they came down from the north, and traces of their occupation
have been pointed out in Armenia in the vicinity of Ararat, or halfway ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... Euphrates valley they carried with them the traditions, beliefs, and customs current
in that district. ... upon the mountains of Ararat," that is, Armenia. ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Vashd[t]aku, Vashtak, the name of a fabulous king of Armenia, is rejected by ... name
Urivzan, which is applied in the Assyrian inscriptions to a district of Media ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... witnesses of their power, as did the snow-clad peaks, the deep gorges through which
rushed roaring torrents, and the mountain ranges of Ararat or Taurus, where ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Masistes, wishing to avenge her, set out for Bactriana, of which district he was
satrap: he could easily have incited the province to rebel, for its losses in ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

What similarities are there between the Gilgamesh flood account and the biblical flood account? | GotQuestions.org

Would the discovery of Noah's Ark be important? | GotQuestions.org

Where did Noah live? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus