Pharpar (orPharphar in theDouay–Rheims Bible) is a biblicalriver in Syria. It is the less important of the two rivers ofDamascus mentioned in theBook of Kings (2 Kings 5:12), now generally identified with theNahr al-Awaj, also called Awaj (literally, 'crooked'), although if the reference to Damascus is limited to the city, as in theArabic version of theOld Testament, Pharpar would be the modern Taura.[1] In the earlyBaedeker Guides it was identified as the Al-Sabirani, a fairly downstream tributary of the Awaj. The stream runs from west to east, flowing fromHermon south of Damascus, and like its companionAbana River travels across the plain of Damascus, which owes to them much of its fertility. The river loses itself in marshes, orLakes of the Marj, as they are called, on the borders of the greatArabian Desert.[1]
John MacGregor, who gives a description of it in his bookRob Roy on theJordan, affirmed that as a work ofhydraulic engineering, the system and construction of the canals, by which the Pharpar and Abana were used forirrigation, might be considered as one of the most complete and extensive in the world.[1] In the Bible,Naaman exclaims that the Abana and Pharpar are greater than all the waters ofIsrael (2 Kings 5:12).
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Abana and Pharpar".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 6.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "12088-pharpar".The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.33°25′N36°08′E / 33.417°N 36.133°E /33.417; 36.133
 | This article about a location inDamascus Governorate, Syria is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
This article related to a river in Syria is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
