Topical Encyclopedia
Arpad was an ancient city located in northern Syria, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a significant site during the Assyrian period. It is often associated with the modern site of Tell Rifaat, situated about 30 kilometers north of Aleppo. Arpad held strategic importance due to its location on the trade routes connecting Mesopotamia with the Mediterranean.
Biblical References:Arpad is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, primarily in the context of Assyrian military campaigns. In
2 Kings 18:34, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, the Assyrian king Sennacherib boasts of his conquests, including Arpad: "Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they rescued Samaria from my hand?" . This rhetorical question underscores the Assyrian king's confidence in his military might and the futility of relying on local deities for protection.
Similarly, in
Isaiah 10:9, Arpad is listed among the cities conquered by the Assyrians: "Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?" . This passage highlights the Assyrian empire's expansion and the subjugation of various city-states, including Arpad.
Jeremiah 49:23 also references Arpad in a prophecy against Damascus: "Concerning Damascus: Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened, troubled like the restless sea" . This verse indicates the fear and turmoil experienced by these cities in the face of impending judgment and destruction.
Historical Context:Arpad's historical significance is further illuminated by Assyrian records, which detail its resistance and eventual subjugation. The city was a formidable fortress and a center of resistance against Assyrian expansion. In the mid-8th century BC, Arpad was part of a coalition of states that opposed the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III. After a prolonged siege lasting three years, Arpad fell to the Assyrians around 740 BC, marking a turning point in Assyrian dominance over the region.
Theological Significance:From a theological perspective, the references to Arpad in the Bible serve as a testament to God's sovereignty over nations and the futility of relying on human strength or false gods. The repeated mention of Arpad alongside other conquered cities underscores the theme of divine judgment against idolatry and pride. The Assyrian conquests, including that of Arpad, are portrayed as instruments of God's will, used to discipline and correct His people and the surrounding nations.
In summary, Arpad's biblical and historical narrative reflects the broader themes of divine sovereignty, judgment, and the transient nature of human power. Its account serves as a reminder of the ultimate authority of God over the affairs of nations and the importance of faithfulness to Him.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Arpadthe light of redemption
ATS Bible Dictionary
ArpadA Syrian city, associated with Hamath,2 Kings 18:34; 19:1-37;Isaiah 10:9; 36:19 and with Damascus,Jeremiah 49:23. Its site is unknown.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(
Isaiah 10:9;
36:19;
37:13), also Arphad, support, a Syrian city near Hamath, along with which it is invariably mentioned (
2 Kings 19:13;
18:34;
Isaiah 10:9), and Damascus (
Jeremiah 49:23). After a siege of three years it fell (B.C. 742) before the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser II. Now Tell Erfud.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ARPAD; ARPHADar'-pad; ar'-fad ('arpadh, "support"): A city of Syria, captured frequently by the Assyrians, and finally subjugated by Tiglath-pileser III in 740 B.C., after a siege of two years. It is now the ruin Tell Erfad, 13 miles Northwest of Aleppo. Arpad is one of the conquered cities mentioned by Rabshakeh, the officer of Sennacherib, in his boast before Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:34;2 Kings 19:13Isaiah 36:19;Isaiah 37:13; the King James Version Arphad). Isaiah puts a boast about its capture in the mouth of the Assyrian king (Isaiah 10:9), and Jeremiah mentions it as "confounded" because of evil tidings, in the oracle concerning Damascus (Jeremiah 49:23). On every occasion Arpad is mentioned with Hamath.
S. F. Hunter
Strong's Hebrew
774.Arpad -- a city in Aram (Syria)... 773, 774.
Arpad. 775 . a city in Aram (Syria). Transliteration:
Arpad Phonetic Spelling: (ar-pawd') Short Definition:
Arpad. Word
...Library
Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... Since the decline of Damascus andArpad, Hamath had again taken a prominent place
in Northern Syria: prompt submission had saved this city from destruction in...
Deliverance from Assyria
... Where is the king of Hamath, and the king ofArpad, and the king of the
city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?" 2 Kings 19:10-13....
Babylonia and Assyria
... northern Syria in connection with that of the Armenians, but the Assyrian king
annihilated the army of Ararat in Comagene, and then proceeded to besiegeArpad....
Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... at the mere echo of the first victories of Tiglath-pileser III.; and Hiram II.,
who then reigned in Tyre, hastened to carry to the camp atArpad assurances of...
The Doom of the Antichrist
... For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings? Is not Calno as Carchemish?
Is not Hamath asArpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus?...
Book 9 Footnotes
... [11] This ancient city Hamath, which is joined withArpad, or Aradus, and with Damascus,
2 Kings 18:34; Isaiah 36:19; Jeremiah 49:23, cities of Syria and...
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... in Karduniash and in Media"He determines to attach Urartu in Syria: defeat of Sharduris,
campaign aroundArpad, and capture of that city"Homage paid by the...
The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... To the south of the Sajur, Bit-Agusi** barred the way to the Orontes; and from their
lofty fastness ofArpad, its chiefs kept watch over the caravan road, and...
The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <....
Thesaurus
Arpad (6 Occurrences)... Now Tell Erfud. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ARPAD; ARPHAD.
... On every occasion
Arpad is mentioned with Hamath. SF Hunter. Multi-Version Concordance
...Ivvah (3 Occurrences)
... Ivvah was a city apparently conquered by the Assyrians, and is mentioned by them,
in the verses quoted, with Hamath andArpad, Sepharvaim and Hena....
Arphad (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaARPAD; ARPHAD.... On every occasionArpad is mentioned
with Hamath. SF Hunter. Multi-Version Concordance Arphad (2 Occurrences)....
Sepharva'im (4 Occurrences)
... Sepharva'im (4 Occurrences). 2 Kings 18:34 Where are the gods of Hamath, and
ofArpad?... Isaiah 36:19 Where are the gods of Hamath andArpad?...
Sepharvaim (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS NIV). 2 Kings 18:34 Where are the gods of Hamath,
and ofArpad?... Isaiah 36:19 Where are the gods of Hamath andArpad?...
Calno (1 Occurrence)
... kal'-ne, kal'-no (kalneh (Amos 6:2), kalno (Isaiah 10:9)): "Probably the Kulnia
(Kullani) associated withArpad and Hadrach, Syrian cities, in the Assyrian...
Ivah (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ivah (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 18:34 Where are the gods
of Hamath, and ofArpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?...
Calneh (2 Occurrences)
... kal'-ne, kal'-no (kalneh (Amos 6:2), kalno (Isaiah 10:9)): "Probably the Kulnia
(Kullani) associated withArpad and Hadrach, Syrian cities, in the Assyrian...
Rescued (49 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Kings 18:34 Where are the gods of Hamath, and ofArpad?... (See NIV).
Isaiah 36:19 Where are the gods of Hamath and ofArpad?...
Sama'ria (102 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Kings 18:34 Where are the gods of Hamath, and ofArpad?... Isaiah 10:9
Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath asArpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus?...
Resources
Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
