Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Aramaean" refers to a group of Semitic people originating from the region of Aram, which is located in present-day Syria. The Aramaeans are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, where they are depicted as both neighbors and adversaries of the Israelites. The Aramaeans played a significant role in the history of the ancient Near East, particularly during the first millennium BC.
Biblical References and Historical ContextThe Aramaeans are first mentioned in the Bible in
Genesis 10:22, where Aram is listed as one of the sons of Shem, making the Aramaeans descendants of Noah. The patriarchal narratives also connect the Aramaeans to the family of Abraham. In
Genesis 24:10, Abraham's servant travels to "Aram Naharaim" to find a wife for Isaac, indicating the familial ties between the Israelites and the Aramaeans.
The Aramaeans are often associated with the city of Damascus, which became a significant Aramaean kingdom. In
2 Samuel 8:5-6, King David defeats the Aramaeans of Damascus, establishing Israelite dominance over them: "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."
Throughout the period of the divided monarchy, the Aramaeans were both allies and enemies of Israel and Judah. The prophet Elisha frequently interacted with the Aramaeans, as seen in
2 Kings 5, where Naaman, the commander of the Aramaean army, is healed of leprosy. The Aramaeans also besieged Samaria, as recorded in
2 Kings 6:24-25.
Language and CultureThe Aramaeans are credited with the spread of the Aramaic language, which became the lingua franca of the Near East during the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian empires. Aramaic was the language spoken by Jesus and his disciples, and portions of the Old Testament, such as parts of Daniel and Ezra, are written in Aramaic.
Theological SignificanceThe interactions between the Israelites and the Aramaeans highlight themes of divine sovereignty and judgment. The victories of Israel over the Aramaeans, as seen in the reigns of David and Solomon, are attributed to God's favor and covenant promises. Conversely, the Aramaean incursions and victories over Israel serve as instruments of divine discipline when Israel strayed from God's commandments.
In
Hosea 12:12, the prophet reflects on the historical relationship between Israel and Aram: "Jacob fled to the land of Aram; Israel worked for a wife, and for a wife he tended sheep." This reference underscores the deep historical and familial connections between the two peoples, while also serving as a reminder of God's providential care and guidance throughout Israel's history.
ConclusionThe Aramaeans, as depicted in the Bible, are a testament to the complex interplay of relationships in the ancient Near East. Their interactions with Israel provide valuable insights into the historical and theological narratives of the Old Testament, illustrating the unfolding of God's plan through the nations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Alt. of Aramean.
Strong's Hebrew
761. Arammi -- an inhabitant of Aram (Syria)... of Aram (Syria) NASB Word Usage Aramean (8), Arameans (4). Syrian, Aramitess. Patrial
from 'Aram; an Aramite or
Aramaean -- Syrian, Aramitess. see HEBREW 'Aram.
...7421. rammi -- Syrian
... Word Origin scribal error for Arammi, qv. Syrian For 'Arammiy; a Ramite, ieAramaean --
Syrian. see HEBREW 'Arammiy. 7420, 7421. rammi. 7422 . Strong's Numbers
450. Elyada -- "God knows," three Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Eliada (4). Eliada. From 'el and yada'; God (is) knowing; Eljada,
the name of two Israelites and of anAramaean leader -- Eliada. see HEBREW 'el...
Library
The Original Text and Its History.
... 1,) the Arabic, having its original seat in the southeastern part of the Shemitic
territory, and of which the AEthiopic is a branch; (2,) theAramaean in the...
The Nations of the North-East
... The main part of the population of Syria and Mesopotamia wasAramaean"that is to
say, it consisted of Semites from Arabia who spoke Aramaic dialects....
Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original...
... One result of the Babylonish captivity was that Hebrew ceased to be the vernacular
of the masses of the people, and a form ofAramaean took its place....
Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... and names in the gospels as Raka, Abba, Golgotha, Gabbatha, Akel-Dama, Bartholomaios,
Barabbas, Bar-Jesus, and the various verbal quotations, are allAramaean....
Index of Subjects.
... Apostle's Creed, 517. Aquila and his version, 204.Aramaean or Aramaic and its branches,
175; became the language of the Jews after the captivity, 177, 369....
Chapter xxxi
... her father. And Jacob tricked Laban, theAramaean, by not telling him
that he was fleeing. So he and all that were his fled. He...
Chapter xxx
... else gives indications of polytheistic leanings, and since Jacob surely would have
tolerated no names for his children that were allusions toAramaean or other...
The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... That our Lord taught inAramaean, and that He used and quoted the Holy Scriptures
in the Hebrew, perhaps sometimes rendering them for popular use intoAramaean...
Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
... the Midrash. Primarily the Targum, then, was intended as a translation
of the Hebrew Scriptures into the vernacularAramaean. Of...
The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
... Luke 5:29), and his office must have required for its proper discharge a knowledge
of the Greek as well as of his native Hebrew; that is,Aramaean, as the word...
Thesaurus
Aramaean (13 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Alt. of Aramean. Multi-Version Concordance
Aramaean (13 Occurrences). Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty
...Aramaeans (49 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:18 And the Aramaeans went in flight before Israel; and David put to
the sword the men of seven hundredAramaean war-carriages and forty thousand...
War-carriages (76 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:18 And the Aramaeans went in flight before Israel; and David put to
the sword the men of seven hundredAramaean war-carriages and forty thousand...
Jaladah (1 Occurrence)
... Jaladah (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 7:14 Sons of Manasseh: Ashriel, whom Jaladah
hisAramaean concubine bare, with Machir father of Gilead. (YLT)....
Fleeing (38 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:20 and Jacob deceiveth the heart of Laban theAramaean, because
he hath not declared to him that he is fleeing; (YLT NAS)....
Footmen (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:18 And the Aramaeans went in flight before Israel; and David put to
the sword the men of seven hundredAramaean war-carriages and forty thousand...
Deceiveth (8 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Genesis 31:20 and Jacob deceiveth the heart of Laban theAramaean,
because he hath not declared to him that he is fleeing; (YLT)....
Positions (41 Occurrences)
... And on the seventh day the fight was started; and the children of Israel put to
the sword a hundred thousandAramaean footmen in one day. (BBE)....
Butlers (13 Occurrences)
... 18:26 And Eliakim son of Hilkiah saith -- and Shebna, and Joah -- to the chief of
the butlers, 'Speak, we pray thee, unto thy servants 'in'Aramaean, for we...
Chronicles (45 Occurrences)
... The peculiar form of the language, beingAramaean in its general character, harmonizes
also with that of the books which were written after the Exile....
Resources
What is the significance of Damascus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAramaean: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
