Topical Bible: Syria: Prophecies Concerning

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Syria, known in ancient times as Aram, holds a significant place in biblical prophecy and history. The region, with its capital at Damascus, is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is often depicted as both a neighbor and adversary of Israel. The prophecies concerning Syria are primarily found in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, and Zechariah, among others.

Isaiah's Prophecies

The prophet Isaiah delivers several prophecies concerning Syria, particularly focusing on its capital, Damascus. In Isaiah 17:1-3 , the oracle against Damascus is pronounced: "Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer will be deserted; they will be places for flocks to lie down, with no one to frighten them. The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus; the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites," declares the LORD of Hosts.

This prophecy foretells the destruction and desolation of Damascus, indicating a time when the city would no longer stand as a significant power. Historically, Damascus faced numerous invasions and periods of decline, aligning with the prophetic declarations.

Jeremiah's Prophecies

Jeremiah also speaks of the fate of Damascus. In Jeremiah 49:23-27 , the prophet describes the anguish and fear that will grip the city: "Concerning Damascus: Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened, troubled like the restless sea. Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee, and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, like a woman in labor. How is the city of praise not forsaken, the town of My joy! Therefore her young men will fall in her streets; all the warriors will be silenced in that day," declares the LORD of Hosts. "I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad."

This passage emphasizes the impending judgment and destruction that would come upon Damascus, highlighting the city's vulnerability and the divine retribution it would face.

Amos' Prophecies

The prophet Amos also addresses the judgment against Damascus. In Amos 1:3-5 , the LORD declares: "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 scepter of Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir," says the LORD.

Amos highlights the specific sins of Damascus, particularly its aggression against Gilead, and foretells the city's destruction and the exile of its people.

Zechariah's Prophecies

In Zechariah 9:1 , the prophet speaks of the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place: "The burden of the word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus is its resting place—for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD."

This prophecy suggests a broader divine judgment that includes Damascus, indicating that the city would not escape the LORD's scrutiny and justice.

Historical Context and Fulfillment

The prophecies concerning Syria, particularly Damascus, reflect the geopolitical realities of the ancient Near East, where Syria was a formidable power often in conflict with Israel and Judah. The fulfillment of these prophecies can be seen in various historical events, such as the Assyrian conquests and later invasions that led to the decline of Damascus as a major power.

These prophetic declarations serve as a testament to the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to bring about His purposes through historical events. The prophecies concerning Syria remind believers of the ultimate authority of God in the affairs of nations and His faithfulness to His word.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 7:8-16
For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within three score and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
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Isaiah 8:4-7
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
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Isaiah 17:1-3
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
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Jeremiah 1:15
For, see, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, said the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
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Jeremiah 49:23-27
Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
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Amos 1:3-5
Thus said the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
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Zechariah 9:1
The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.
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Library

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9
... HISTORY OF EGYPT CHALDEA, SYRIA, BABYLONIA, AND ASSYRIA ... Cyrus and the legends concerning
his origin: his revolt ... the new temple, the prophecies against Babylon ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 9/title page.htm

Isaiah
... during the second century BC than the earlier Israel from Assyria; and the dream
of Palestine, Syria, and Egypt ... Prophecies concerning Judah and Jerusalem. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm

The Sentence of the Synod.
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. ... For the
prophecies concerning Christ he rejected and hastened to destroy, so far as ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the sentence of the synod.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... The storm passes, without pausing in its course, over Syria, Philistia, Tyre ...
denunciations against Samaria intermingled with his prophecies concerning Judah ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Antioch in Syria, the centre of Paul's missionary labors, 441, 442, 449. ... Last days,
meaning of the term, 608; prophecies concerning, 611, seq. Law. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

"Is not this the Carpenter's Son?"
... Jesus stood before the people as a living expositor of the prophecies concerning
Himself ... were filled with the horses and chariots of the king of Syria, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 24 is not this.htm

The Time of his Appearance among Men.
... according to the prophecies which had been uttered concerning him. [75] His birth
took place during the first census, while Cyrenius was governor of Syria. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter v the time of his.htm

The vineyard and Its Keepers
... We have no need to dwell on the cycle of prophecies concerning the corner-stone ... has
been taken from the churches of Asia Minor, Africa, and Syria, because they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the vineyard and its keepers.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation ... "Of this sort," says Bleek,
"are the prophecies of Isaiah as ... of the kingdoms of Israel and Syria, which he ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... He begins with Babylon, and passes in order to Philistia, Moab, Syria (with which ...
of his writings, and in the fulness of his prophecies concerning the Messiah ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm