Overview:
Pharpar is one of the rivers mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament. It is noted for its association with the region of Damascus and is referenced in the context of a comparison with the waters of Israel. The river is part of the geographical and historical landscape of ancient Syria.

Biblical Reference:
Pharpar is mentioned in 2 Kings 5:12, where Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, expresses his disdain for the waters of Israel compared to the rivers of his homeland. The verse reads: "Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage."

Geographical Context:
Pharpar, along with the Abanah (or Amanah), is one of the two principal rivers flowing through the region of Damascus. Historically, these rivers have been vital for the irrigation and sustenance of the fertile lands surrounding the city. Pharpar is often identified with the modern-day Awaj River, which flows southeast of Damascus.

Historical and Cultural Significance:
In the biblical narrative, Pharpar represents the pride and perceived superiority of the Arameans over Israel. Naaman's reference to Pharpar highlights the cultural and nationalistic pride of the Arameans, who viewed their natural resources as superior to those of Israel. This sentiment is part of the broader narrative of Naaman's healing from leprosy, which ultimately demonstrates the power and grace of the God of Israel over the gods and resources of other nations.

Theological Implications:
The mention of Pharpar in the account of Naaman serves as a backdrop to the demonstration of God's sovereignty and the universality of His grace. Naaman's initial rejection of the prophet Elisha's instructions to wash in the Jordan River reflects a common human tendency to rely on familiar and seemingly superior resources rather than trusting in God's provision. The eventual healing of Naaman after he humbles himself and obeys Elisha's command underscores the theme of faith and obedience to God's word, regardless of personal biases or cultural pride.

Conclusion:
Pharpar, as a river of Damascus, holds a place in biblical history as a symbol of national pride and the challenge of faith. Its mention in the account of Naaman serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and obedience in experiencing God's miraculous works.Pharpar

that produces fruit

Pharpar

(swift), the second of the "two rivers of Damascus" --Abana and Pharpar --alluded to by Naaman. (2 Kings 5:18) The two principal streams in the district of Damascus are the Barada and the Awaj, the former being the Abana and the latter the Pharpur. The Awaj rises on the southeast slopes of Hermon, and flows into the most southerly of the three lakes or swamps of Damascus.

Pharpar

A river of Damascus. See in ABANA, and Pharpar.

Swift, one of the rivers of Damascus (2 Kings 5:12). It has been identified with the `Awaj, "a small lively river." The whole of the district watered by the `Awaj is called the Wady el-`Ajam, i.e., "the valley of the Persians", so called for some unknown reason. This river empties itself into the lake or marsh Bahret Hijaneh, on the east of Damascus. One of its branches bears the modern name of Wady Barbar, which is probably a corruption of Pharpar. PHARPAR

far'-par (parpar; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Apharpha; Codex Alexandrinus Pharphara): A river of Damascus, mentioned in 2 Kings 5:12, along with the Abana or Amana.e and James, Psalms of Solomon. xlivff;; Nicolas. Doctrines religieuses des juifs, 48;. See ABANAH.

6554. Parpar -- a river near Damascus
... 6553, 6554. Parpar. 6555 . a river near Damascus. Transliteration: Parpar
Phonetic Spelling: (par-par') Short Definition: Pharpar. ... Pharpar. ...
/hebrew/6554.htm - 6k

Mr. Evil-Questioning Tried and Executed
... REV. CH SPURGEON. At Exeter Hall, Strand. "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers
of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/mr evil-questioning tried and executed.htm

A Little Jewish Maid.
... me. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters
of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean?". Springing ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/a little jewish maid.htm

A Little Maid of Israel.
... "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters
of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean?" he said. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxix a little maid.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... traveller like a vision of paradise amidst a burning and barren wilderness of sand;
it is watered by the never-failing rivers Abana and Pharpar (which Naaman ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 31 the conversion of.htm

A Slave Girl who Helped Her Master
... and so cure the leper. Are not Amana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus,
better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a slave girl who helped.htm

PM Whittier. Patience.
... 5 But, O, we shrink from Jordan's side, From waters which alone can save;
And murmur for Abana's banks And Pharpar's brighter wave. ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/278 p m whittier patience.htm

Naaman
... the leper." When told to wash in the Jordan, his pride was touched, and in
mortification and disappointment he exclaimed, "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 20 naaman.htm

Naaman the Syrian
... I can fancy Naaman's indignation as he asks, "Are not Abana and Pharpar,
rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iii naaman the syrian.htm

Obedience to God the Way to Faith in Christ.
... something stranger and rarer than the mere obvious duty of obedience to God; we
are loth to seek Christ in the waters of Jordan rather than in Pharpar and Abana ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiv obedience to god.htm

The Christian Described
... "What is Jordan? Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all
the waters in Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean?" saith he. ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Pharpar (1 Occurrence)
... One of its branches bears the modern name of Wady Barbar, which is probably a
corruption of Pharpar. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PHARPAR. ...
/p/pharpar.htm - 7k

Rivers (81 Occurrences)
... Rivers of Damascus. The Abana and Pharpar (2 Kings 5:12). ... 2 Kings 5:12 Aren't Abanah
and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? ...
/r/rivers.htm - 32k

Abanah (1 Occurrence)
... margin Amana), the Revised Version (British and American) ABANAH (Revised Version,
margin Amanah)): Mentioned in 2 Kings 5:12, along with the PHARPAR (which see ...
/a/abanah.htm - 8k

Rage (43 Occurrences)
... past. (See NIV). 2 Kings 5:12 Aren't Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of
Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn'tI ...
/r/rage.htm - 19k

Pharzites

/p/pharzites.htm - 6k

Pharosh (1 Occurrence)

/p/pharosh.htm - 6k

Aba'na (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Aba'na (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 5:12 Are not Abana and
Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? ...
/a/aba'na.htm - 6k

Amanah (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Amanah (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 5:12 Are not Abanah and
Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? ...
/a/amanah.htm - 7k

Abana (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Abana (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 5:12 Aren't Abanah and Pharpar,
the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? ...
/a/abana.htm - 7k

Stream (96 Occurrences)
... river"): "He bindeth the streams," the King James Version "floods" (Job 28:11);
"the River" (Euphrates) (Exodus 23:31, etc.); "Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers ...
/s/stream.htm - 42k

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

What can we learn from the story of Elisha and Naaman? | GotQuestions.org

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