Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Syrian" in the Bible generally refers to the people of Aram, a region located in present-day Syria. The Arameans, or Syrians, were a Semitic people who played a significant role in the history of Israel and the surrounding nations. The Bible frequently mentions the Syrians in the context of their interactions, both hostile and diplomatic, with the Israelites.
Geographical ContextThe region of Aram, often synonymous with Syria in biblical texts, was situated to the northeast of Israel. Key cities included Damascus, which served as a major political and economic center. The Arameans were known for their influence in trade and military prowess, often clashing with neighboring kingdoms, including Israel.
Historical Interactions with IsraelThe Syrians are first mentioned in the context of the patriarchs. In
Genesis 25:20, Rebekah is described as "the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram," indicating familial ties between the Israelites and the Arameans. This connection is further emphasized in
Genesis 31:20, where Laban, Rebekah's brother, is called "Laban the Aramean."
During the period of the united monarchy, King David engaged in military campaigns against the Syrians. In
2 Samuel 8:5-6 , it is recorded: "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."
The relationship between Israel and Syria was often tumultuous. The divided kingdom period saw frequent conflicts, particularly between the northern kingdom of Israel and the Aramean kingdom of Damascus. In
1 Kings 20, King Ahab of Israel fought against Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, in a series of battles. Despite initial defeats, the Israelites eventually triumphed, as recorded in
1 Kings 20:29-30 : "For seven days they camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle was joined. And the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day."
Prophetic InteractionsThe prophets of Israel often spoke against the Syrians, pronouncing judgments due to their hostilities and idolatry. In
Amos 1:3-5 , the prophet Amos declares: "This is what the LORD says: 'For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron. So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad. I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,' says the LORD."
Cultural and Religious InfluenceThe Syrians were known for their polytheistic beliefs, worshiping a pantheon of gods, with Hadad being one of the most prominent. This religious influence occasionally seeped into Israel, leading to periods of syncretism and idolatry among the Israelites, which the prophets vehemently opposed.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the region of Syria is mentioned in the context of the early Christian church. In
Acts 15:23, a letter is addressed to "the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia," indicating the spread of Christianity into Syrian territories. Antioch, a major city in Syria, became a significant center for early Christian activity and missionary work.
The term "Syrian" in the Bible encapsulates a complex relationship marked by conflict, cultural exchange, and eventual integration into the early Christian narrative. The Syrians, as neighbors to Israel, played a pivotal role in the historical and prophetic landscape of the biblical world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to Syria; Syriac.
2. (n.) A native of Syria.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SYRIAN; LANGUAGEsir'-i-an (the King James Version SYRIAC).
SeeSYRIAC VERSIONS.
Greek
4948. Suros --Syrian...Syrian. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Suros Phonetic Spelling:
(soo'-ros) Short Definition:
Syrian Definition:
Syrian, belonging to Syria.
...3483b. Naiman -- Naaman, aSyrian
... Naaman, aSyrian. Transliteration: Naiman Short Definition: Naaman. Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Naaman Definition Naaman, aSyrian NASB Word Usage Naaman (1)....
4581. Seleukeia -- Seleucia, a city of Syria
... Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Seleukeia Phonetic Spelling: (sel-yook'-
i-ah) Short Definition: Seleucia Definition: Seleucia, on theSyrian coast, the...
490. Antiocheia -- Antioch, the name of two cities
... Word Origin from Antiochos (Antiochus, the name of a number ofSyrian kings) Definition
Antioch, the name of two cities NASB Word Usage Antioch (18). Antioch....
256b. Halphaios -- Alphaeus, the name of the fathers of two...
... Word Origin ofSyrian origin Definition Alphaeus, the name of the fathers of two
disciples NASB Word Usage Alphaeus (5). 256a, 256b. Halphaios. 257 ....
3497. Neeman -- Naaman.
... Word Origin variant reading for Naiman, qv. Naaman. Of Hebrew origin (Na'aman);
Neeman (ie Naaman), aSyrian -- Naaman. see HEBREW Na'aman....
Strong's Hebrew
7421. rammi --Syrian... rammi. 7422 .
Syrian. Transliteration: rammi Phonetic Spelling: (ram-mee') Short
Definition:
Syrian.
...Syrian For 'Arammiy; a Ramite, ie Aramaean --
Syrian.
...726. Aromim --Syrian
... Aromim. 727 .Syrian. Transliteration: Aromim Phonetic Spelling: (ar-o-mee') Short
Definition:Syrian. Word Origin scribal error for Adomi, qv.Syrian...
2383. Chezyon -- "vision," an Aramean (Syrian)
... 2382, 2383. Chezyon. 2384 . "vision," an Aramean (Syrian). Transliteration:
Chezyon Phonetic Spelling: (khez-yone') Short Definition: Hezion....
1130. Ben-hadad -- "son of Hadad," the name of several Aramean...
... "son of Hadad," the name of several Aramean (Syrian) kings. Transliteration:
Ben-hadad Phonetic Spelling: (ben-had-ad') Short Definition: Ben-hadad....
7331. Rezon -- an Aramean (Syrian) of Solomon's time
... 7330, 7331. Rezon. 7332 . an Aramean (Syrian) of Solomon's time. Transliteration:
Rezon Phonetic Spelling: (rez-one') Short Definition: Rezon....
1909. Hadadezer -- "Hadad is help(er)," an Aramean (Syrian) king
... Hadadezer. 1910 . "Hadad is help(er)," an Aramean (Syrian) king. Transliteration:
Hadadezer Phonetic Spelling: (had-ad-eh'-zer) Short Definition: Hadadezer....
7780. Shophak -- an Aramean (Syrian) general
... 7779, 7780. Shophak. 7781 . an Aramean (Syrian) general. Transliteration: Shophak
Phonetic Spelling: (sho-fawk') Short Definition: Shophach....
7731. Shobak -- an Aramean (Syrian) general
... an Aramean (Syrian) general. Transliteration: Shobak Phonetic Spelling: (sho-bawk')
Short Definition: Shobach.... Perhaps for sowbek; Shobak, aSyrian -- Shobach....
7340. Rechob -- places in Aram (Syria) and Pal., also an Aramean...
... places in Aram (Syria) and Pal., also an Aramean (Syrian) and an Israelite.
Transliteration: Rechob or Rechob Phonetic Spelling: (rekh-obe') Short Definition...
5283. Naaman -- a descendant of Benjamin, also an Aramean (Syrian)...
... Naaman. 5284 . a descendant of Benjamin, also an Aramean (Syrian) general.
Transliteration: Naaman Phonetic Spelling: (nah-am-awn') Short Definition: Naaman....
Library
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim theSyrian
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim theSyrian. <. Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim
theSyrian Ephraim theSyrian. Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents....
TheSyrian Enrollment in 8 Bc
... CHAPTER 8 THESYRIAN ENROLLMENT IN 8 BC. IN the preceding... 8 BC. (strictly
theSyrian year beginning in the spring of 8 BC.). The...
TheSyrian Persecution.
... THE CHOSEN PEOPLE. LESSON XVII. THESYRIAN PERSECUTION. "The dead bodies
of Thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls...
First Part Ephraim theSyrian. I. --Summary of the Authenticated...
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim theSyrian. <.... First Part Ephraim the
Syrian. I."Summary of the Authenticated Facts of His Life....
Naaman theSyrian and the Jordan. No Other Stream Has the Same...
... Sixth Book. 28. Naaman theSyrian and the Jordan. No Other Stream Has the
Same Healing Power. Should any one object to the expression...
Aetius, theSyrian, and Eudoxius, the Successor of Leontius in...
... Book IV. Chapter XII."A?�tius, theSyrian, and Eudoxius, the Successor of
Leontius in Antioch. Concerning the Term "Consubstantial."....
Of Aetius theSyrian, Teacher of Eunomius.
... Book II. Chapter XXXV."Of A?�tius theSyrian, Teacher of Eunomius. At Antioch
in Syria another heresiarch sprang up, A?�tius, surnamed Atheus....
Bardesanes theSyrian and his Extant Works.
... Book IV. Chapter XXX."Bardesanes theSyrian and his Extant Works. 1. In
the same reign, as heresies were abounding in the region...
Letter ccliv. To Pelagius, Bishop of theSyrian Laodicea.
... Letter CCLIV. To Pelagius, bishop of theSyrian Laodicea.... [3120] cf. Letter xcii.
p. 177. On Pelagius bishop of theSyrian Laodicea, see Theod., HE iv....
Naaman theSyrian
... III NAAMAN THESYRIAN.... What a stir it must have made when the commander of theSyrian
army drove up! He has brought with him a lot of gold and silver....
Thesaurus
Syrian (12 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SYRIAN; LANGUAGE. sir'-i-an (the King James Version
SYRIAC). See SYRIAC VERSIONS. Multi-Version Concordance
Syrian (12 Occurrences)
...Aramean (17 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of
Bethuel theSyrian of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban theSyrian, to be his...
Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)
... who was sent against this confederate host, found them in double battle array, the
Ammonities toward their capital of Rabbah, and theSyrian mercenaries near...
Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Pleasantness, aSyrian, the commander of the armies
of Benhadad II. in the time of Joram, king of Israel....
Rimmon (22 Occurrences)
... (See Joshua 9:17.). (2.) ASyrian idol, mentioned only in 2 Kings 5:18.... EWG Masterman.
RIMMON (2). (rimmon, "pomegranate"; see RIMMON-PEREZ): (1) ASyrian god....
Bethuel (10 Occurrences)
... father of Laban and Rebekah (Genesis 22:23; Genesis 24:15, 24, 47, 50; 25:20:00;
28:2, 5). In the last-named passage, he is surnamed "theSyrian." The only...
Asmoneans
... A considerable portion of the people was unable to withstand the paganizing influence
of the Macedonian andSyrian periods, and in this direction the thousands...
Aram (130 Occurrences)
... and Romans. In Genesis 25:20; 31:20, 24; Deuteronomy 26:5, the word "Syrian"
is properly "Aramean" (RV, marg.). Damascus became...
Coney (2 Occurrences)
... is rendered in all four passages in the Septuagint choirogrullios, or "hedge-hog,"
but is now universally considered to refer to theSyrian hyrax, Procavia (or...
Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The standing title of theSyrian kings, meaning
"the son of Hadad." (see HADADEZER.). (1.) The king of...
Resources
What is the Syriac/Syrian Orthodox Church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Antioch in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Naaman in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSyrian: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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