Topical Encyclopedia
Paddan, also referred to as Paddan-aram, is a significant geographical and historical location mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is primarily associated with the patriarchal narratives, particularly in the context of the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paddan-aram is located in the region of Mesopotamia, which is modern-day northern Syria and southeastern Turkey. The name "Paddan" itself is often understood to mean "plain" or "field," indicating the fertile nature of the area.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 25:20 · "And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife." This verse highlights Paddan-aram as the homeland of Rebekah, Isaac's wife, and emphasizes its connection to the Aramean people.
2.
Genesis 28:2 · "Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother's father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother." Here, Isaac instructs Jacob to go to Paddan-aram to find a wife, underscoring the importance of maintaining familial and cultural ties.
3.
Genesis 28:5 · "So Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau." This passage marks the beginning of Jacob's journey to Paddan-aram, where he would spend many years and where significant events in his life would unfold.
4.
Genesis 31:18 · "And he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan." This verse describes Jacob's departure from Paddan-aram, highlighting the wealth and family he acquired during his time there.
Historical and Cultural Context:Paddan-aram is situated in the broader region of Aram-Naharaim, which is often associated with the upper reaches of the Euphrates River. This area was known for its rich agricultural land, making it an ideal location for the pastoral lifestyle of the patriarchs. The Arameans, who inhabited this region, were a Semitic people closely related to the Hebrews, sharing linguistic and cultural similarities.
The significance of Paddan-aram in the biblical narrative is closely tied to the theme of God's covenant promises. It serves as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's plan through the patriarchs, particularly in the context of marriage and family lineage. The marriages of Isaac and Jacob to women from Paddan-aram ensured the continuation of the covenant line, as these unions were divinely orchestrated to fulfill God's promises to Abraham.
Theological Implications:Paddan-aram's role in the biblical narrative underscores the providence and sovereignty of God in guiding the lives of the patriarchs. The journeys to and from Paddan-aram are marked by divine encounters and revelations, such as Jacob's vision of the ladder at Bethel (
Genesis 28:12-15) and his wrestling with God at Peniel (
Genesis 32:24-30). These events highlight God's active involvement in the lives of His chosen people and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
In summary, Paddan-aram is a key location in the biblical account of the patriarchs, serving as a setting for significant events that shaped the history and destiny of the Israelite people. Its mention in Scripture reflects the interconnectedness of geography, culture, and divine purpose in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PADDANpad'-an (Genesis 48:7; the King James Version Padan, padan). See next article.
Strong's Hebrew
6307.Paddan -- the place where Rachel diedPaddan or
Paddan Aram. 6306b, 6307.
Paddan or
Paddan Aram. 6308 . the
place where Rachel died. Transliteration:
Paddan or
Paddan...Library
Chapter xxviii
... Up, go toPaddan-aram, to the home of Bethuel, thy mother's father, and take a wife
to thyself from the daughters of Laban, thy mother's brother....
Chapter xlviii
... But as for me, when I was coming fromPaddan then Rachel died to my great grief
in the land of Canaan during the journey when we were still a stretch removed...
Chapter xxxiii
... And Jacob arrived safe and sound at the city of Shechem, which is in the land of
Canaan, upon his return fromPaddan-Aram, and he encamped in front of the city...
Chapter xxxv
... And God appeared to Jacob again as he came fromPaddan-Aram and blessed him; and
God said unto him: Thy name is Jacob; thy name shall no longer be called Jacob...
Chapter xxxi
... and he drove away all his cattle and all his substance which he had acquired, the
cattle constituting his property which he had acquired inPaddan Aram, in...
Chapter xlvi
... And the sons of Zebulon: Sered and Elon and Jahleel. These are the descendants of
Leah whom she bare unto Jacob inPaddan-aram"and Dinah, her daughter....
The Nations of the North-East
... the equivalent of our acre.Paddan was used in the same sense in the Babylonia
of the age of Abraham. Numerous contracts have been...
Chapter xxxiv
... And God appeared to Jacob again as he came fromPaddan-Aram and blessed him; and
God said unto him: Thy name is Jacob; thy name shall no longer be called Jacob...
Chapter xxvi
... el Shadday ("God Almighty") v. Genesis 27:3, 'eloh??m ("God") v. Genesis 27:4;
ha'aramm?? ("the Aramaean, or the Syrian") verse Genesis 27:5;paddan aram v...
Thesaurus
Paddan (11 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PADDAN. pad'-an (Genesis 48:7; the King James Version
Padan, padan).
... Multi-Version Concordance
Paddan (11 Occurrences).
...Paddan-aram (10 Occurrences)
Paddan-aram. Paddanaram,Paddan-aram. Paddle . Int. Standard Bible
EncyclopediaPADDAN-ARAM. pad'-an-a'-ram or p.-ar'-am...
Aram (130 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Syrian ofPaddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife...
Paddanaram
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaPADDAN-ARAM. pad'-an-a'-ram or p.-ar'-am
(paddan 'aram; Septuagint Mesopotamia tes Surias; the King...
Bethu'el (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of
Bethuel the Aramean, ofPaddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be...
Bethuel (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Syrian ofPaddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife...
Laban (52 Occurrences)
... Genesis 11:31; Genesis 12:5). Since Haran, and the region about it where his flocks
fed, belonged to the district called Aram (seePADDAN-ARAM; MESOPOTAMIA...
Aramaean (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Aramaean ofPaddan-aram, and the sister of Laban the Aramaean, to be...
Aramean (17 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of
Bethuel the Syrian ofPaddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his...
Syrian (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Syrian ofPaddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife...
Resources
Who was Rachel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Reuben in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Gad? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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