Topical Bible: Syria: The Roman Province of, Included the Land of Canaan

◄ Syria: The Roman Province of, Included the Land of Canaan ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Syria, during the Roman era, was a significant province that played a crucial role in the historical and biblical narrative. The province of Syria, as established by the Romans, encompassed a vast region that included parts of modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. This area was rich in cultural and historical significance, serving as a bridge between the East and the West.

Historical Context

The Roman province of Syria was established in 64 BC by Pompey the Great, following his successful campaigns in the East. This annexation marked the end of the Seleucid Empire, which had previously controlled the region. Under Roman rule, Syria became a vital administrative and military hub, given its strategic location and the wealth of its cities, such as Antioch, which served as the provincial capital.

Biblical Significance

Syria's inclusion of the land of Canaan is of particular interest in biblical studies. Canaan, the land promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, holds a central place in the biblical narrative. The Berean Standard Bible references the land of Canaan numerous times, highlighting its importance as the Promised Land. For instance, in Genesis 17:8 , God promises Abraham, "And to you and your descendants I will give the land of your sojourn—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God."

During the New Testament period, the Roman province of Syria was a backdrop for several key events. The Gospel of Matthew mentions Syria in the context of Jesus' early ministry: "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them" (Matthew 4:24). This passage underscores the widespread impact of Jesus' ministry beyond the immediate confines of Judea and Galilee.

Cultural and Religious Influence

The Roman province of Syria was a melting pot of cultures and religions. It was home to a diverse population, including Jews, Greeks, Romans, and various Semitic peoples. This diversity is reflected in the New Testament, where interactions between different cultural groups are frequently depicted. The early Christian church in Antioch, for example, became a significant center for the spread of Christianity. Acts 11:26 notes, "And when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

Military and Political Importance

Syria's strategic importance was not lost on the Romans, who stationed several legions in the province to protect its borders and maintain order. The Roman military presence in Syria played a crucial role in the broader context of the Roman Empire's eastern frontier. The province served as a launching point for campaigns into the Parthian Empire and later the Sassanian Empire, highlighting its military significance.

Economic Prosperity

Economically, Syria was a prosperous province, benefiting from its position along major trade routes, including the Silk Road. The fertile lands of the region supported agriculture, while its cities were centers of commerce and industry. This economic prosperity contributed to the overall stability and importance of the province within the Roman Empire.

In summary, the Roman province of Syria, which included the land of Canaan, was a region of immense historical, cultural, and biblical significance. Its role in the biblical narrative, as well as its strategic and economic importance in the Roman Empire, underscores its enduring legacy in the annals of history.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 2:2,3
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Nave's Topical Index

Library

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... part of the Roman province of Syria] tetrarch of ... The province laying about it is
mentioned because it ... position, their great wealth, and the Roman favor which ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... Megiddo, the "Legio" of the Roman period, has ... oblong eminences which are so frequently
met with in Syria. ... not far from the Khabur or from the province of Aleppo ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Uz, in fact, was a province of Edom; Edomite colonists ... As we go northwards into Syria
the Canaanitish element ... of northern Arabia transformed into Roman subjects ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Alexandria and Rome - the Jewish Communities in the Capitals of ...
... Ethiopia, and westward to, and beyond, the province of Cyrene ... In a similar spirit
the Roman authorities confirmed a ... the cities of Asia Minor and Syria which he ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v alexandria and rome.htm

The Historical Situation
... doubtless organized his army on the Roman pattern, with ... had jurisdiction only within
the province of Judea ... a revolt when the governor of Syria undertook to make ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the historical situation.htm

Editor's Preface
... ranges of the Taurus upon the Egyptian province of Northern ... looms the colossal figure
of the Roman Empire ... when he was occupied in conquering Syria and Palestine ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 1/editors preface.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... became one of the granaries of the Roman world, under ... title would probably be "father
of Syria," "father of ... the damage done to the whole province of Umliyash ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... applied in the Middle Ages to a province situated in ... country which was known in the
Graeco-Roman period by ... Khati at the expense of Egypt.** Syria continued to ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Acts XVI
... the least detail of Paul's labors in Syria and Cilicia ... flesh;" and then, intending
to enter the province of Asia ... He knew what the penalty, under Roman law, for ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvi.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... In the later Roman period it ... The history of Syria lies buried in such sites, and
is waiting only for ... of Jurjum, which was the name by which the province of the ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm