Damascus: An Ancient City
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Introduction and Historical Background

Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy. Located in modern-day Syria, it has been a central hub of trade, culture, and political power throughout the ages. Its strategic position on the crossroads of the ancient Near East made it a focal point for various empires and civilizations.

Biblical References

Damascus is first mentioned in the Bible in the context of Abraham's servant, Eliezer, who hailed from this city (Genesis 15:2). This early reference highlights the city's longstanding prominence even during the patriarchal period.

In the time of King David, Damascus became a notable adversary. The Arameans of Damascus were defeated by David's forces, and the city was brought under Israelite control (2 Samuel 8:5-6). This victory established Israel's influence over the region and demonstrated God's favor upon David's reign.

The city is also significant in the narratives of the divided kingdom. During the reign of King Asa of Judah, Damascus played a pivotal role when Asa sought an alliance with Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, to counter the threat from the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 15:18-20). This alliance underscores the city's political importance and its ability to sway regional power dynamics.

Prophetic Significance

Damascus is frequently mentioned in the prophetic books of the Bible, often as a symbol of judgment and divine retribution. The prophet Isaiah foretold the destruction of Damascus, declaring, "Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins" (Isaiah 17:1). This prophecy highlights the city's vulnerability to divine judgment due to its idolatry and opposition to God's people.

Jeremiah also prophesied against Damascus, stating, "Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee, panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, as of a woman in labor" (Jeremiah 49:24). These prophecies serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring about His purposes through historical events.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Damascus is most famously associated with the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul. On the road to Damascus, Saul encountered the risen Christ, an event that dramatically transformed his life and mission (Acts 9:1-19). This encounter underscores the city's role as a backdrop for one of the most significant turning points in early Christian history.

Paul's subsequent ministry in Damascus and his escape from the city under threat of persecution (2 Corinthians 11:32-33) further highlight its importance as a center of early Christian activity and the challenges faced by the nascent church.

Cultural and Theological Insights

Damascus serves as a testament to the enduring nature of God's plans and the unfolding of His redemptive history. Its repeated appearances in biblical narratives and prophecies illustrate the interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency. The city's history is a reminder of the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.

In conclusion, Damascus stands as a significant city in biblical history, embodying themes of judgment, redemption, and transformation. Its legacy continues to resonate in the ongoing narrative of God's interaction with humanity.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 14:15
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, LORD God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
5018. Tarseus -- of Tarsus
... 5018 -- , the leading city in ancient Cilicia (a province between Syria ... for more
than , making it (perhaps) the oldest city in the ... [Some feel Damascus is older ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5018.htm - 7k
Library

Chapter xv
... By metonomy, Abram says, "my heir is Damascus, ie, Eliezer." This says no more
than that Eliezer seems to have hailed from this ancient city. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

Quaker City Excursion
... delay was made to give time to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus ... visit
the Mountains of Lebanon, the ruins of Baalbec, and the city of Damascus. ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/quaker city excursion.htm

How Hadad King of Damascus and of Syria, Made Two Expeditions ...
... a few of them escape to their own city Aphek, who ... ropes about their heads, [for this
was the ancient manner of ... he should have leave to come to Damascus, as his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 how hadad king.htm

Chapter xiv
... q??dhem ""before"""east". Damm??seq is the ancient city of Damascus, known
also later from the Amarna tablets as Dimaski. 16. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... [11] This ancient city Hamath, which is joined with Arpad, or Aradus, and with Damascus,
2 Kings 18:34; Isaiah 36:19; Jeremiah 49:23, cities of Syria and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacch??us - the ...
... The Old Testament history of the City of Palms' is ... Long before, it had recovered
its ancient fame for fertility ... lay on the caravan-road from Damascus and Arabia ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiv in jericho and.htm

The Early History of Particular Churches.
... except the Great Council of Ephesus, held in that city, AD431 ... stretching up to the
east of Syria, almost to Damascus itself ... There is an ancient tradition that St ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter vii the early history.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the ten tribes"the XXIst Egyptian dynasty"Sheshonq"Damascus. ... all the people of the
city had taken ... ceased with him, and the ancient chronicler recognises ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The King --Continued.
... if we suppose that the ancient city over which ... kingship and conquest of Melchizedek's
city; but the ... Philistia, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Amalek, Damascus, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xii the kingcontinued.htm

Six Cities
... Hebron is the most ancient of all the cities of Canaan ... It was as old, if not older,
than Damascus, and was ... at their selection of the old Canaanite city, on the ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii six cities.htm

Resources
Why, when, and for how long was the apostle Paul in Arabia? | GotQuestions.org

Was the Apostle Paul actually a false prophet? | GotQuestions.org

Does war with Syria have anything to do with the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Damascus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Damascus

Damascus: An Ancient City

Damascus: Besieged by Rezon

Damascus: Capital of Syria

Damascus: Garrisoned

Damascus: Laid Under Tribute to David

Damascus: Luxury In

Damascus: Paul's Experiences In

Damascus: Prophecies Concerning

Damascus: Recovered by Jeroboam

Damascus: Taken by King of Assyria

Damascus: Walled

Damascus: Wilderness of

Related Terms

Syria-damascus (1 Occurrence)

Rezin (11 Occurrences)

Aretas (1 Occurrence)

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)

Damask (1 Occurrence)

Zobah (15 Occurrences)

Abanah (1 Occurrence)

Ben-ha'dad (26 Occurrences)

Urijah (29 Occurrences)

Ben-hadad (27 Occurrences)

Tiglath (3 Occurrences)

Eliezer (14 Occurrences)

Pileser (3 Occurrences)

Plans (55 Occurrences)

Pharpar (1 Occurrence)

Copy (18 Occurrences)

Arpad (6 Occurrences)

Abana (1 Occurrence)

Pekah (11 Occurrences)

Ananias (11 Occurrences)

Uri'ah (32 Occurrences)

Hobah (1 Occurrence)

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)

Journeying (36 Occurrences)

Journeyed (111 Occurrences)

Garden (68 Occurrences)

Traveled (104 Occurrences)

Rezon (3 Occurrences)

Damascenes (1 Occurrence)

Silk (4 Occurrences)

Hadrach (1 Occurrence)

Hazael (23 Occurrences)

Street (54 Occurrences)

Kir (11 Occurrences)

Chains (100 Occurrences)

Aramaeans (49 Occurrences)

Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences)

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

Arameans (61 Occurrences)

Ben (40 Occurrences)

Cyrus (20 Occurrences)

Hadad (38 Occurrences)

Forces (123 Occurrences)

Ahaz (42 Occurrences)

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)

Prisoners (170 Occurrences)

Helbon (1 Occurrence)

Trade (33 Occurrences)

Aram (130 Occurrences)

Zabadaeans

Nabathaeans

Nabataeans

Northern (18 Occurrences)

Lake (45 Occurrences)

Letters (51 Occurrences)

Goldsmith (6 Occurrences)

Garrisons (6 Occurrences)

Workmanship (15 Occurrences)

Wares (23 Occurrences)

Intending (24 Occurrences)

Ituraea (1 Occurrence)

Fled (181 Occurrences)

Flashed (12 Occurrences)

Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences)

Twenty-two (26 Occurrences)

Troop (28 Occurrences)

Tabeel (2 Occurrences)

Ruinous (4 Occurrences)

Rivers (81 Occurrences)

Rebels (20 Occurrences)

Enan (9 Occurrences)

Decapolis (3 Occurrences)

Details (4 Occurrences)

Detailed (3 Occurrences)

Model (9 Occurrences)

Marauding (3 Occurrences)

Damascus
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