Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical Context:Armenia is a region located in the highlands surrounding the Biblical mountains of Ararat, which is traditionally associated with the resting place of Noah's Ark. The land is characterized by its rugged terrain and mountainous landscapes, lying between the Black and Caspian Seas. In ancient times, it was situated at the crossroads of several important trade routes, making it a significant area for cultural and commercial exchange.
Biblical References:The most notable biblical reference to Armenia is found in the account of Noah's Ark.
Genesis 8:4 states, "On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat." The "mountains of Ararat" are traditionally identified with the Armenian Highlands, making Armenia a place of great significance in the post-Flood narrative.
Historical Significance:Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world, with a history that dates back to ancient times. It is believed to have been inhabited since the time of the early patriarchs. The region was known to the Assyrians and other ancient civilizations, and it played a role in the geopolitical dynamics of the Near East.
Cultural and Religious Influence:Armenia holds a unique place in Christian history as the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion in AD 301, under King Tiridates III and the influence of St. Gregory the Illuminator. This early adoption of Christianity has left a lasting legacy on Armenian culture and identity, with the Armenian Apostolic Church being one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world.
Prophetic and Eschatological Views:While Armenia itself is not directly mentioned in eschatological prophecies, its geographical and historical context places it within the broader narrative of the nations surrounding Israel. The region's proximity to key biblical locations and its historical interactions with empires mentioned in the Bible contribute to its relevance in discussions of biblical prophecy.
Modern Relevance:Today, Armenia continues to be a predominantly Christian nation, with a rich heritage of faith that traces back to its early conversion. The Armenian Church remains a vital part of the country's cultural and spiritual life. The historical and biblical connections to Armenia serve as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the biblical narrative and its impact on nations throughout history.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Armenia(land of Aram) is nowhere mentioned under that name in the original Hebrew, though it occurs in the English version, (2 Kings 19:37) for Ararat.Description. --Armenia is that lofty plateau whence the rivers Euphrates, Tigris, Araxes and Acampsis pour down their waters in different directions; the first two to the Persian Gulf, the last two respectively to the Caspian and Euxine seas. It may be termed thenucleus of the mountain system of western Asia. From the centre of the plateau rise two lofty chains of mountains, which run from east to west.Divisions. --Three districts are mentioned in the Bible. (1) ARARAT is mentioned as the place whither the sons of Sennacherib fled. (Isaiah 37:38) It was the central district, surrounding the mountain of that name. (2)MINNI only occurs in (Jeremiah 51:27) It is probably identical with the district Minyas, in the upper valley of theMurad-su branch of the Euphrates. (3)TOGARMAH is noticed in two passages of (Ezekiel 27:14;38:6) both of which are in favor of its identity with Armenia.Present condition. --The Armenians, numbering about two millions, are nominally Christians. About half of them live in Armenia. Their favorite pursuit is commerce. The country is divided, as to government, between Russia, Turkey and Persia.--ED.
ATS Bible Dictionary
ArmeniaA large country of Asia, having Media on the east, Cappadocia on the west, Colchis and Iberia on the north, Mesopotamia on the south, and the Euphrates and Syria on the southwest. It is an elevated tableland, with a cool and salubrious climate. Lying between the Caucasus and the Taurus range, with Mount Ararat towering in its central province, it gives rise to three notable rivers, the Euphrates, Tigris, and Araxes. It is only named in Scripture as the place of refuge of two Assyrian parricides,2 Kings 19:37. The modern Armenian Church resembles strongly the Greek Church, and is sadly debased and corrupt. SeeARARAT,MINNI, andTOGARMAH.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
High land, occurs only in Authorized Version,
2 Kings 19:37; in Revised Version, "Ararat," which is the Hebrew word. A country in western Asia lying between the Caspian and the Black Sea. Here the ark of Noah rested after the Deluge (
Genesis 8:4). It is for the most part high table-land, and is watered by the Aras, the Kur, the Euphrates, and the Tigris. Ararat was properly the name of a part of ancient Armenia. Three provinces of Armenia are mentioned in
Jeremiah 51:27, Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz. Some, however, think Minni a contraction for Armenia. (see
ARARAT.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ARMENIAar-me'-ni-a
Strong's Hebrew
780. Ararat -- a district in E.Armenia... 779, 780. Ararat. 781 . a district in E.
Armenia. Transliteration: Ararat Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-aw-rat') Short Definition: Ararat.
... Ararat,
Armenia.
...4508. Minni -- a region ofArmenia
... 4507, 4508. Minni. 4509 . a region ofArmenia. Transliteration: Minni
Phonetic Spelling: (min-nee') Short Definition: Minni. Word...
Library
To Eulalius, Bishop of PersianArmenia.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, LXXVII. To Eulalius, Bishop of Persian
Armenia. I know that Satan has sought to sift you as wheat...
To Eusebius, Bishop of PersianArmenia.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, LXXVIII. To Eusebius, Bishop of Persian
Armenia. Whenever anything happens to the helmsman, either...
His Peculiar Caricature of the Bishops, Eustathius ofArmenia and...
... Book I. Section 5. His peculiar caricature of the bishops, Eustathius of
Armenia and Basil of Galatia, is not well drawn. But, not...
Since it Has Come to Our Knowledge that in the Region ofArmenia...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XXXII. Since it has come to our
knowledge that in the region ofArmenia they offer? Since...
We have Likewise Learned that in the Regions ofArmenia and in...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LVI. We have likewise learned that
in the regions ofArmenia and in other places certain?...
Reign of Abgar
... History ofArmenia.... Reign of Abgar;Armenia becomes completely tributary to the Romans;
war with Herod's troops; his brother's son, Joseph, is killed....
Martyrdom of Our Apostles.
... Ancient Syriac Documents. Moses of Chorene. History ofArmenia. IX. Martyrdom
of our apostles. After the death of Abgar, the kingdom...
Letter Xcix. To Count Terentius.
... 3. After this, when I was compelled to undertake a journey intoArmenia, knowing
the man's character, and with the view both of making my own defence before a...
Historical Introduction.
... Basil's epistles. [138] Moreover, Eustathius's See of Sebaste is inArmenia, and
it is to the bishops ofArmenia that the Synod addresses its letter....
The Misfortunes which Happened in Connection with These Things, in...
... [2744] We do not know when Christianity was first preached inArmenia, but late
in the third century Gregory, "the Illuminator," an Armenian of royal blood who...
Thesaurus
Armenia (2 Occurrences)... Ararat was properly the name of a part of ancient
Armenia. Three provinces of
Armenia are mentioned in Jeremiah 51:27, Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz.
...ARMENIA.
...Ararat (4 Occurrences)
... one of the mountains of which the ark rested after the Flood subsided (Genesis
8:4). The "mountains" mentioned were probably the Kurdish range of SouthArmenia...
Togarmah (4 Occurrences)
... toka, "tribe," and arma =Armenia.... Both Kiepert and Dillmann regard Togarmah as having
been SoutheasternArmenia, and this is at present the general opinion....
Esarhaddon (3 Occurrences)
... BC 681 Sennacherib was murdered by two of his sons, who, after holding Nineveh for
forty-two days, were compelled to fly to Erimenas of Ararat, orArmenia....
Armenian
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Of or pertaining toArmenia. 2. (n.) A native
or one of the people ofArmenia; also, the language of the Armenians....
Parthians (1 Occurrence)
... The king then turned his attention towardArmenia, which he probably brought under
his control, but its king Tigranes recovered its independence and even...
Versions
... 1. Circumstances under Which Made:Armenia was in large measure Christianized by
Gregory Lousavorich ("the Illuminator": consecrated 302 AD; died 332), but, as...
Minni (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Only in Jeremiah 51:27, as the name of a province inArmenia,
which was at this time under the Median kings.... (seeARMENIA.). Int....
Bible
... 1. Circumstances under Which Made:Armenia was in large measure Christianized by
Gregory Lousavorich ("the Illuminator": consecrated 302 AD; died 332), but, as...
Ashkenaz (3 Occurrences)
... They are mentioned in connection with Minni and Ararat, and hence their original
seat must have been inArmenia (Jeremiah 51:27), probably near the Black Sea...
Resources
What is the Armenian Orthodox Church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Yazidism, and what do Yazidis believe? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is monothelitism? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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