Topical Bible: Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Destruction of Its Inhabitants

◄ Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Destruction of Its Inhabitants ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Syria, a significant nation in biblical history, is frequently mentioned in the context of prophecies concerning its destruction and the fate of its inhabitants. These prophecies are primarily found in the Old Testament, where the prophets conveyed God's judgments against Syria due to its actions against Israel and other nations.

Prophetic Context

The prophecies concerning Syria, often referred to as Aram in the Hebrew Bible, are primarily directed against its capital, Damascus. Damascus was a major city and a center of power in the ancient Near East. The biblical prophets, under divine inspiration, pronounced judgments against Syria for its idolatry, pride, and aggression towards Israel.

Key Prophecies

1. Isaiah's Prophecy Against Damascus: The prophet Isaiah foretold the downfall of Damascus, highlighting the city's impending ruin. Isaiah 17:1-3 states: "An oracle concerning Damascus: 'Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be for flocks, which will 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."

2. Jeremiah's Pronouncement: The prophet Jeremiah also spoke of the destruction of Damascus. In Jeremiah 49:23-27 , he describes the fear and anguish that will seize the city: "Concerning Damascus: 'Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened. There is anxiety by the sea; it cannot be calmed. Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee. 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.'"

3. Amos's Judgment: The prophet Amos also delivered a message of judgment against Damascus. In Amos 1:3-5 , the LORD declares: "For three transgressions of Damascus, even for 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 one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir,' says the LORD."

Historical Fulfillment

The prophecies concerning the destruction of Syria and its inhabitants were fulfilled through various historical events. The Assyrian Empire, under rulers such as Tiglath-Pileser III, invaded and conquered Damascus, leading to the decline of Syrian power. Later, the Babylonians and other empires continued to exert control over the region, further fulfilling the prophetic words spoken by Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos.

These prophecies serve as a testament to the sovereignty of God over the nations and His righteous judgment against those who oppose His people and His ways. The biblical narrative underscores the theme of divine justice and the ultimate accountability of nations before God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 49:26
Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, said the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... kingdoms of Israel and Syria, which he ... common denominator for this collection of
prophecies.". ... several interesting critical inquiries respecting the component ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... in order to Philistia, Moab, Syria (with which as ... The prophecies that follow naturally
fall into two ... with some very remarkable revelations respecting the time ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... great unanimity among commentators respecting the period ... appropriately pertaining
to other prophecies, the defence ... century overran Georgia, Syria, and Anatolia ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... Prophecies of this calamity were prevalent among the heathen. ... that the ashes reached
even Syria and Egypt ... This concludes the oracular utterances respecting Rome ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... means prejudicial to the interpretation respecting the Saracens ... Turks, were expelled
from Syria and Palestine ... expression as possible,) both prophecies, as well ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

The Life of Christ.
... that "His fame went throughout all Syria," and that ... The silence of all the evangelists
respecting matters of which ... and how He was described in the prophecies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the life of.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Their migration from Media into Syria and Palestine ... dictated a summary of all the
prophecies delivered by ... Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... to us, ("as in a glass, darkly,") respecting the Moral ... matter of Ben-hadad, King
of Syria, as recorded ... rest upon the verification of its Prophecies and Miracles ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... at liberty by the governor of Syria at that ... He says, also, that even the prophecies
were derived ... people, writes in these very words respecting the appendages ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

[Endnotes]
... 3. See also some singular speculations respecting it in ... by a sort of wholesale
self-destruction on the ... as the corresponding officers in Cyprus, Syria, and Lydia ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm