Topical Bible: Syria: Inhabitants of Called Syrians of Damascus

◄ Syria: Inhabitants of Called Syrians of Damascus ►

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Biblical References and Historical Context

Syria, known in ancient times as Aram, is a significant region frequently mentioned in the Bible. The inhabitants of this region are often referred to as the Syrians or Arameans. The capital city, Damascus, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and plays a crucial role in biblical narratives.

Geographical and Cultural Background

Syria is located to the northeast of Israel, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Euphrates River to the east. The region's strategic location made it a crossroads of various civilizations and cultures, contributing to its rich and diverse history. The Arameans, the primary inhabitants, were known for their language, Aramaic, which became a lingua franca in the Near East.

Biblical Significance

The Syrians of Damascus are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in the context of their interactions with the Israelites. One of the earliest references to Syria is found in Genesis 10:22, where Aram is listed as a descendant of Shem, Noah's son. This establishes the Arameans as part of the Semitic peoples.

Military and Political Interactions

Throughout the biblical narrative, the Syrians of Damascus were both adversaries and allies of Israel. During the reign of King David, the Syrians were subdued, as recorded in 2 Samuel 8:5-6 : "When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute."

However, the relationship was not always peaceful. The Syrians frequently engaged in warfare with Israel, as seen during the reign of King Ahab. In 1 Kings 20:1 , "Now Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army, and there were thirty-two kings with him, along with horses and chariots. He marched up, besieged Samaria, and fought against it."

Prophetic and Religious Context

The prophets of Israel often spoke against Damascus and the Syrians, foretelling judgment due to their opposition to God's people. Isaiah 17:1 declares, "An oracle concerning Damascus: 'Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.'" This prophecy highlights the divine judgment that would come upon Damascus for its actions against Israel.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Damascus holds a place of prominence in the account of the Apostle Paul. It was on the road to Damascus that Saul of Tarsus experienced his dramatic conversion to Christianity, as recounted in Acts 9:3-5 : "As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 'Who are You, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' He replied."

Legacy and Influence

The Syrians of Damascus, through their interactions with Israel and their role in biblical history, have left a lasting legacy. Their language, Aramaic, was spoken by Jesus and His disciples, underscoring the cultural and religious influence of the region. The biblical narratives involving Syria and its inhabitants continue to be studied for their historical, theological, and prophetic significance.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 8:5
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Every Nation was Denominated from their First Inhabitants.
... of Ham possessed the land from Syria and Amanus ... is even now called Amathe by the
inhabitants, although the ... founded the Laudites, which are now called Lydians. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how every nation.htm

How Antiochus, who was Called Dionysus, and after Him Aretas Made ...
... them, took that valley which is called The Valley of ... last they utterly destroyed,
because its inhabitants would not ... of the principal cities of Syria, which had ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 how antiochus who.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... royal treasury at Jerusalem; the cities of northern Syria were plundered ... the later
Old Testament age"were the inhabitants of a country called Biainas, but ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra ...
... some went another, and slew the inhabitants of Gaza ... fourth brother Demetrius, who
was called Eucerus, from ... while Demetrius and Philip governed Syria, as hath ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how alexander upon.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... the primordial type of the godhead, was called El or ... in names of towns in Southern
Syria seems to indicate pretty conclusively that the inhabitants of these ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

How Antipater Committed the Care of Galilee to Herod, and that of ...
... So he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem bear him ... enemies.] However, Sextus Caesar,
president of Syria, wrote to ... who is accused of murder, and called to answer ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how antipater committed.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... of the country was Iakhanu, but it was called Bit-Gusi or ... as being in current use
in Northern Syria at the ... of Babylon and Nineveh, much as the inhabitants of a ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... 18:4; 21:19; and he is here called by this ... not live to anoint Hazael king of Syria
himself, as ... kings had been great benefactors to the inhabitants of Damascus ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

Introduction.
... were more likely than the other inhabitants of Palestine to ... is reason to suppose,
that it first arose in Syria. ... the Western Text, as it is called, and Syriac ...
/.../burgon/the causes of the corruption of the traditional text/introduction.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... these were passing through the mountains they called upon a ... in the direction of Damascus,
Tyre, and Coele-Syria.**. ... been able to do had the inhabitants not been ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm