Bible Thesaurus: Damascus

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Thesaurus

Damascus (58 Occurrences)
... It was the native place of Abraham's steward (15:2). It is not again noticed till
the time of David, when "the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer ...
/d/damascus.htm - 45k

Syria-damascus (1 Occurrence)
Syria-damascus. Syriadamascus, Syria-damascus. Syriamaachah .
Multi-Version Concordance Syria-damascus (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/syria-damascus.htm - 6k

Rezin (11 Occurrences)
... to attack Damascus, and this caused Rezin to withdraw for the purpose of
defending his own kingdom. Damascus was taken, and Rezin ...
/r/rezin.htm - 13k

Aretas (1 Occurrence)
... Aretas, taking advantage of the complications of the times on account of the death
of the Emperor Tiberius (AD 37), took possession of Damascus (2 Corinthians ...
/a/aretas.htm - 11k

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)
... Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river of Gozan, unto this day." Still later
we find Pekah forming a coalition with Rezin, king of Damascus, into which ...
/t/tiglathpileser.htm - 11k

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)
... Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river of Gozan, unto this day." Still later
we find Pekah forming a coalition with Rezin, king of Damascus, into which ...
/t/tiglath-pileser.htm - 12k

Damask (1 Occurrence)
... hangings. 4. (n.) Damask or Damascus steel; also, the peculiar markings
or water of such steel. 5. (n.) A deep pink or rose color. ...
/d/damask.htm - 7k

Zobah (15 Occurrences)
...Damascus, however, came to the rescue and fresh resistance was made, but a complete
rout followed and great spoil fell to the victor, as well as access to the ...
/z/zobah.htm - 15k

Abanah (1 Occurrence)
... American) ABANAH (Revised Version, margin Amanah)): Mentioned in 2 Kings 5:12, along
with the PHARPAR (which see), as one of the principal rivers of Damascus. ...
/a/abanah.htm - 8k

Ben-ha'dad (26 Occurrences)
... into the hand of his servants; and king Asa sent them to Ben-hadad, the son of
Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Aram, that dwelt at Damascus, saying: (See ...
/b/ben-ha'dad.htm - 14k

Bible Concordance

Damascus (58 Occurrences)

Acts 9:2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:3 As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Acts 9:20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
(See NAS)

Acts 9:22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 22:5 As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 22:6 It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 22:10 I said,'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord said to me,'Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 22:11 When I couldn't see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 22:12 One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,
(WEB)

Acts 26:12 "Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 26:20 but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. a perverse and crooked generation.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes desiring to arrest me.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 14:15 He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 15:2 Abram said, "Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 8:5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 11:24 He gathered men to him, and became captain over a troop, when David killed them of Zobah : and they went to Damascus, and lived therein, and reigned in Damascus.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 15:18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants; and king Asa sent them to Ben Hadad, the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 19:15 Yahweh said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 20:34 Ben Hadad said to him, "The cities which my father took from your father I will restore. You shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria." "I," said Ahab, "will let you go with this covenant." So he made a covenant with him, and let him go.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 5:12 Aren't Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them, and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 8:7 Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick. It was told him, saying, "The man of God has come here."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 8:9 So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, "Your son Benhadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying,'Will I recover from this sickness?'"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 14:28 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 16:9 The king of Assyria listened to him; and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 16:10 King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar that was at Damascus; and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and its pattern, according to all its workmanship.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 16:11 Urijah the priest built an altar: according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so did Urijah the priest make it against the coming of king Ahaz from Damascus.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 16:12 When the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near to the altar, and offered thereon.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 18:5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 18:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 16:2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Yahweh and of the king's house, and sent to Ben Hadad king of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 24:23 It happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them to the king of Damascus.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 28:5 Therefore Yahweh his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they struck him, and carried away of his a great multitude of captives, and brought them to Damascus. He was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with a great slaughter.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 28:23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which struck him; and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 7:4 Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bathrabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looks toward Damascus.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 7:8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within sixty-five years Ephraim shall be broken in pieces, so that it shall not be a people;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 8:4 For before the child knows how to say,'My father,' and,'My mother,' the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 10:9 Isn't Calno like Carchemish? Isn't Hamath like Arpad? Isn't Samaria like Damascus?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 17:1 The burden of Damascus: "Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 17:3 The fortress shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria. They will be as the glory of the children of Israel," says Yahweh of Armies.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 49:23 Of Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad; for they have heard evil news, they are melted away: there is sorrow on the sea; it can't be quiet.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 49:24 Damascus has grown feeble, she turns herself to flee, and trembling has seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in travail.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 49:27 I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the palaces of Ben Hadad.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 27:18 Damascus was your merchant for the multitude of your handiworks, by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches, with the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 47:16 Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazer Hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 47:17 The border from the sea, shall be Hazar Enon at the border of Damascus; and on the north northward is the border of Hamath. This is the north side.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 47:18 The east side, between Hauran and Damascus and Gilead, and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan; from the north border to the east sea you shall measure. This is the east side.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes: From the north end, beside the way of Hethlon to the entrance of Hamath, Hazar Enan at the border of Damascus, northward beside Hamath, (and they shall have their sides east and west), Dan, one portion.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Amos 1:3 Thus says Yahweh: "For three transgressions of Damascus, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Amos 1:5 I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir," says Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Amos 3:12 Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
(KJV WBS YLT NIV)

Amos 5:27 Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus," says Yahweh, whose name is the God of Armies.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zechariah 9:1 An oracle. The word of Yahweh is against the land of Hadrach, and will rest upon Damascus; for the eye of man and of all the tribes of Israel is toward Yahweh;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Damascus

a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Damascus

one of the most ancient and most important of the cities of Syria. It is situated 130 miles northeast of Jerusalem, in a plain of vast size and of extreme fertility, which lies east of the great chain of Anti-Libanus, on the edge of the desert. This fertile plain, which is nearly circular and about 30 miles in diameter, is due to the river Barada , which is probably the "Abana" of Scripture. Two other streams the Wady Helbon upon the north and the Awaj, which flows direct from Hermon upon the south, increase the fertility of the Damascene plain, and contend for the honor of representing the "Pharpar" of Scripture. According to Josephus, Damascus was founded by Uz grandson of Shem. It is first mentioned in Scripture in connection with Abraham, (Genesis 14:15) whose steward was a native of the place. (Genesis 15:2) At one time david became complete master of the whole territory, which he garrisoned with israelites. (2 Samuel 8:5,6) It was in league with Baasha, king of Israel against Asa, (1 Kings 15:19; 2 Chronicles 16:3) and afterwards in league with Asa against Baasha. (1 Kings 15:20) Under Ahaz it was taken by Tiglath-pileser, (2 Kings 16:7,8,9) the kingdom of Damascus brought to an end, and the city itself destroyed, the inhabitants being carried captive into Assyria. (2 Kings 16:9) comp. Isai 7:8 and Amos 1:5 Afterwards it passed successively under the dominion of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans and Saracens, and was at last captured by the Turks in 1516 A.D. Here the apostle Paul was converted and preached the gospel. (Acts 9:1-25) Damascus has always been a great centre for trade. Its present population is from 100,000 to 150,000. It has a delightful climate. Certain localities are shown as the site of those scriptural events which specially interest us in its history. Queen's Street, which runs straight through the city from east to west, may be the street called Straight. (Acts 9:11) The house of Judas and that of Ananias are shown, but little confidence can be placed in any of these traditions.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Damascus

A celebrated metropolis of Syria, first mentioned in Genesis 14:15 15:2, and now probably the oldest city on the globe. It stands on the river Barada, the ancient Chrysorrhoas, in a beautiful and fertile plain on the east and south east of Anti-Lebanon. See ABANA, and Pharpar. This plain is about fifty miles in circumference; it is open to the desert of Arabiaon the south and east, and is bounded on the other sides by the mountains. The region around and north of Damascus, including probably the valley between the ridges of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon, is called in the Scriptures, "Syria of Damascus," 2 Samuel 8:5, and by Strabo, Coelesyria. This city, which at first had its own kings, was taken by David, 2 Samuel 8:5,6; and by Jeroboam 2 Kings 14:28. Its history at this period is to be found in the accounts given of Naaman, Ben-hadad, Hazael, and Rezin. It was subdued by Tiglath-pileser, 2 Kings 16:9; and was afterwards subject to the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Seleucidea, and Romans. In the days of Paul it appears to have been held, for a time at least, by Aretas, king of Arabia Petraea, the father-in-law of Herod Antipas. At this period the city was so much thronged by the Jews, that, according to Josephus, ten thousand of them, by command of Nero, were put to death at once. It is memorable to Christians as the scene of the miraculous conversion of that most illustrious "servant of the Lord Jesus Christ," the apostle Paul, Acts 9:1-27 22:1-16. Since 1506, Damascus has been held by the Turks; it is the metropolis of "the Pashalic of Damascus," and has a population of about one hundred and fifty thousand. The Arabs call it Eshshams. It is still celebrated, with the surrounding country, by all travellers, as one of the most beautiful and luxuriant regions in the world. The orientals themselves call it "Paradise on earth," and it is pretended that Mohammed refused to enter it, lest he should thereby forfeit his heavenly Paradise. The plain around the city is well watered and of exuberant fertility; and the eye of the traveller from any direction is fascinated by the view-a wilderness of verdure, interspersed with innumerable villas and hamlets, with gardens, fountains, and groves. A nearer view of the city discloses much that is offensive to the senses, as well as to the spirit. It is the most purely oriental city yet remaining of all that are named in the Bible. Its public buildings and bazaars are fine; and many private dwellings, though outwardly mean, are decorated within in a style of the most costly luxury. Its position has made it from the very first a commercial city, Ezekiel 27:18. They cloth called Damask is supposed to have originated here, and Damascus steel has never been equaled. It still caries on an extensive traffic in woven stuffs of silk and cotton, in fine inlaid cabinet work, in leather, fruits, sweetmeats, etc. For this purpose huge caravans assemble here at intervals, and traverse, just as of old, the desert routes to remote cities. Here too is a chief gathering-place of pilgrims to Mecca. People from all the nations of East resort to Damascus, a fact which shows its importance as a missionary station. An encouraging commencement has been made by English Christians, and the fierce and bigoted intolerance of its Mussulman population has begun to give way. A street is still found here called "Straight," probably the same referred to in Acts 9:11. It runs a mile or more through the city from the eastern gate.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Activity, the most ancient of Oriental cities; the capital of Syria (Isaiah 7:8; 17:3); situated about 133 miles to the north of Jerusalem. Its modern name is Esh-Sham; i.e., "the East."

The situation of this city is said to be the most beautiful of all Western Asia. It is mentioned among the conquests of the Egyptian king Thothmes III. (B.C. 1500), and in the Amarna tablets (B.C. 1400).

It is first mentioned in Scripture in connection with Abraham's victory over the confederate kings under Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:15). It was the native place of Abraham's steward (15:2). It is not again noticed till the time of David, when "the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer" (q.v.), 2 Samuel 8:5; 1 Chronicles 18:5. In the reign of Solomon, Rezon became leader of a band who revolted from Hadadezer (1 Kings 11:23), and betaking themselves to Damascus, settled there and made their leader king. There was a long war, with varying success, between the Israelites and Syrians, who at a later period became allies of Israel against Judah (2 Kings 15:37).

The Syrians were at length subdued by the Assyrians, the city of Damascus was taken and destroyed, and the inhabitants carried captive into Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9; Comp. Isaiah 7:8). In this, prophecy was fulfilled (Isaiah 17:1; Amos 1:4; Jeremiah 49:24). The kingdom of Syria remained a province of Assyria till the capture of Nineveh by the Medes (B.C. 625), when it fell under the conquerors. After passing through various vicissitudes, Syria was invaded by the Romans (B.C. 64), and Damascus became the seat of the government of the province. In A.D. 37 Aretas, the king of Arabia, became master of Damascus, having driven back Herod Antipas.

This city is memorable as the scene of Saul's conversion (Acts 9:1-25). The street called "Straight," in which Judas lived, in whose house Saul was found by Ananias, is known by the name Sultany, or "Queen's Street." It is the principal street of the city. Paul visited Damascus again on his return from Arabia (Galatians 1:16, 17). Christianity was planted here as a centre (Acts 9:20), from which it spread to the surrounding regions.

In A.D. 634 Damascus was conquered by the growing Mohammedan power. In A.D. 1516 it fell under the dominion of the Turks, its present rulers. It is now the largest city in Asiatic Turkey. Christianity has again found a firm footing within its walls.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(n.) A city of Syria.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

DAMASCUS

da-mas'-kus:

1. The Name

2. Situation and Natural Features

3. The City Itself

4. Its History

(1) The Early Period (to circa 950 B.C.)

(2) The Aramean Kingdom (circa 950-732 B.C.)

(3) The Middle Period (732 B.C.-650 A.D.)

(4) Under Islam

1. Name:

The English name is the same as the Greek Damaskos. The Hebrew name is Dammeseq, but the Aramaic form Darmeseq, occurs in 1 Chronicles 18:5 2 Chronicles 28:5. The name appears in Egyptian inscriptions as Ti-mas-ku (16th century B.C.), and Sa-ra-mas-ki (13th century B.C.), which W. M. Muller, Asien u. Europa, 227, regards as representing Ti-ra-mas-ki, concluding from the "ra" in this form that Damascus had by that time passed under Aramaic influence. In the Tell el-Amarna Letters the forms Ti-ma-as-gi and Di-mas-ka occur. The Arabic name is Dimashk esh-Sham ("Damascus of Syria") usually contrasted to Esh-Sham simply. The meaning of the name Damascus is unknown. Esh-Sham (Syria) means "the left," in contrast to the Yemen (Arabia) = "the right."

2. Situation and Natural Features:

Damascus is situated (33 degrees 30' North latitude, 36 degrees 18' East longitude) in the Northwest corner of the Ghuta, a fertile plain about 2,300 ft. above sea level, West of Mt. Hermon. The part of the Ghuta East of the city is called el-Merj, the "meadow-land" of Damascus. The river Barada (see ASANA) flows through Damascus and waters the plain, through which the Nahr el-Awaj (see PHARPAR) also flows, a few miles South of the city.

Surrounded on three sides by bare hills, and bordered on the East, its open side, by the desert, its well-watered and fertile Ghuta, with its streams and fountains, its fields and orchards, makes a vivid impression on the Arab of the desert. Arabic literature is rich in praises of Damascus, which is described as an earthly paradise. The European or American traveler is apt to feel that these praises are exaggerated, and it is perhaps only in early summer that the beauty of the innumerable fruit trees-apricots, pomegranates, walnuts and many others-justifies enthusiasm. To see Damascus as the Arab sees it, we must approach it, as he does, from the desert. The Barada (Abana) is the life blood of Damascus. Confined in a narrow gorge until close to the city, where it spreads itself in many channels over the plain, only to lose itself a few miles away in the marshes that fringe the desert, its whole strength is expended in making a small area between the hills and the desert really fertile. That is why a city on this site is inevitable and permanent. Damascus, almost defenseless from a military point of view, is the natural mart and factory of inland Syria. In the course of its long history it has more than once enjoyed and lost political supremacy, but in all the vicissitudes of political fortune it has remained the natural harbor of the Syrian desert.

3. The City Itself:

Damascus lies along the main stream of the Barada, almost entirely on its south bank. The city is about a mile long (East to West) and about half a mile broad (North to South). On the south side a long suburb, consisting for the most part of a single street, called the Meidan, stretches for a mile beyond the line of the city wall, terminating at the Bawwabet Allah, the "Gate of God," the starting-point of the Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The city has thus roughly the shape of a broad-headed spoon, of which the Meidan is the handle. In the Greek period, a long, colonnaded street ran through the city, doubtless the "street which is called Straight" (Acts 9:11). This street, along the course of which remains of columns have been discovered, runs westward from the Babesh-Sherki, the "East Gate."

Part of it is still called Derb el-Mustakim ("Straight Street"), but it is not certain that it has borne the name through all the intervening centuries. It runs between the Jewish and Christian quarters (on the left and right, respectively, going west), and terminates in the Suk el-Midhatiyeh, a bazaar built by Midhat Pasha, on the north of which is the main Moslem quarter, in which are the citadel and the Great Mosque. The houses are flat-roofed, and are usually built round a courtyard, in which is a fountain. The streets, with the exception of Straight Street, are mostly narrow and tortuous, but on the west side of the city there are some good covered bazaars. Damascus is not rich in antiquities.

The Omayyad Mosque, or Great Mosque, replaced a Christian church, which in its time had taken the place of a pagan temple. The site was doubtless occupied from time immemorial by the chief religious edifice of the city. A small part of the ancient Christian church is still extant. Part of the city wall has been preserved, with a foundation going back to Roman times, surmounted by Arab work. The traditional site of Paul's escape (Acts 9:25 2 Corinthians 11:33) and of the House of Naaman (2 Kings 5) are pointed out to the traveler, but the traditions are valueless.

The charm of Damascus lies in the life of the bazaars, in the variety of types which may be seen there-the Druse, the Kurd, the Bedouin and many others-and in its historical associations. It has always been a manufacturing city. Our word "damask" bears witness to the fame of its textile industry, and the "Damascus blades" of the Crusading period were equally famous; and though Timur (Tamerlane) destroyed the trade in arms in 1399 by carrying away the armorers to Samarcand, Damascus is still a city of busy craftsmen in cloth and wood. Its antiquity casts a spell of romance upon it. After a traceable history of thirty-five centuries it is still a populous and flourishing city, and, in spite of the advent of the railway and even the electric street car, it still preserves the flavor of the East.

4. Its History:

(1) The Early Period (to circa 950 B.C.).

The origin of Damascus is unknown. Mention has already been made (section 1) of the references to the city in Egyptian inscriptions and in the Tell el-Amarna Letters. It appears once-possibly twice-in the history of Abraham. In Genesis 14:15 we read that Abraham pursued the four kings as far as Hobah, "which is on the left hand (i.e. the north) of Damascus." But this is simply a geographical note which shows only that Damascus was well known at the time when Genesis 14 was written. Greater interest attaches to Genesis 15:2, where Abraham complains that he is childless and that his heir is "Dammesek Eliezer" (English Revised Version), for which the Syriac version reads "Eliezer the Damaschul." The clause, however, is hopelessly obscure, and it is doubtful whether it contains any reference to Damascus at all. In the time of David Damascus was an Aramean city, which assisted the neighboring Aramean states in their unsuccessful wars against David (2 Samuel 8:5 f). These campaigns resulted indirectly in the establishment of a powerful Aramean kingdom in Damascus. Rezon, son of Eliada, an officer in the army of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, escaped in the hour of defeat, and became a captain of banditti. Later he established himself in Damascus, and became its king (1 Kings 11:23). He cherished a not unnatural animosity against Israel and the rise of a powerful and hostile kingdom in the Israelite frontier was a constant source of anxiety to Solomon (1 Kings 11:25).

(2) The Aramean Kingdom (circa 950-732 B.C.).

Whether Rezon was himself the founder of a dynasty is not clear. He has been identified with Hezion, father of Tab-rimmon, and grandfather of Ben-hadad (1 Kings 15:18), but the identification, though a natural one, is insecure. Ben-hadad (Biridri) is the first king of Damascus, after Rezon, of whom we have any detailed knowledge. The disruption of the Hebrew kingdom afforded the Arameans an opportunity of playing off the rival Hebrew states against each other, and of bestowing their favors now on one, and now on the other. Benhadad was induced by Asa of Judah to accept a large bribe, or tribute, from the Temple treasures, and relieve Asa by attacking the Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 15:18). Some years later (circa 880 B.C.) Ben-hadad (or his successor?) defeated Omri of Israel, annexed several Israelite cities, and secured the right of having Syrian "streets" (i.e. probably a bazaar for Syrian merchants) in Samaria (1 Kings 20:34). Ben-hadad II (according to Winckler the two Ben-hadads are really identical, but this view, though just possible chronologically, conflicts with 1 Kings 20:34) was the great antagonist of Ahab. His campaigns against Israel are narrated in 1 Kings 20:22. At first successful, he was subsequently twice defeated by Ahab, and after the rout at Aphek was at the mercy of the conqueror, who treated him with generous leniency, claiming only the restoration of the lost Israelite towns, and the right of establishing an Israelite bazaar in Damascus.

On the renewal of hostilities three years later Ahab fell before Ramoth-gilead, and his death relieved Ben-hadad of the only neighboring monarch who could ever challenge the superiority of Damascus. Further light is thrown upon the history of Damascus at this time by the Assyrian inscriptions. In 854 B.C. the Assyrians defeated a coalition of Syrian and Palestine states (including Israel) under the leadership of Ben-hadad at Karqar. In 849 and 846 B.C. renewed attacks were made upon Damascus by the Assyrians, who, however, did not effect any considerable conquest. From this date until the fall of the city in 732 B.C. the power of the Aramean kingdom depended upon the activity or quiescence of Assyria. Hazael, who murdered Ben-hadad and usurped his throne circa 844 B.C., was attacked in 842 and 839, but during the next thirty years Assyria made no further advance westward. Hazael was able to devote all his energies to his western neighbors, and Israel suffered severely at his hands. In 803 Mari' of Damascus, who is probably identical with the Ben-hadad of 2 Kings 13:3, Hazael's son, was made tributary to Ramman-nirari III of Assyria. This blow weakened Aram, and afforded Jeroboam II of Israel an opportunity of avenging the defeats inflicted upon his country by Hazael. In 773 Assyria again invaded the territory of Damascus.

Tiglath-pileser III (745-727 B.C.) pushed vigorously westward, and in 738 Rezin of Damascus paid tribute. A year or two later he revolted, and attempted in concert with Pekah of Israel, to coerce Judah into joining an anti-Assyrian league (2 Kings 15:37; 2 Kings 16:5 Isaiah 7). His punishment was swift and decisive. In 734 the Assyrians advanced and laid siege to Damascus, which fell in 732. Rezin was executed, his kingdom was overthrown, and the city suffered the fate which a few years later befell Samaria.

(3) The Middle Period (circa 732 B.C.-650 A.D.).

Damascus had now lost its political importance, and for more than two centuries we have only one or two inconsiderable references to it. It is mentioned in an inscription of Sargon (722-705 B.C.) as having taken part in an unsuccessful insurrection along with Hamath and Arpad. There are incidental references to it in Jeremiah 49:23 and Ezekiel 27:18; Ezekiel 47:16. In the Persian period Damascus, if not politically of great importance, was a prosperous city. The overthrow of the Persian empire by Alexander was soon followed (301 B.C.) by the establishment of the Seleucid kingdom of Syria, with Antioch as its capital, and Damascus lost its position as the chief city of Syria. The center of gravity was moved toward the sea, and the maritime commerce of the Levant became more important than the trade of Damascus with the interior. In 111 B.C. the Syrian kingdom was divided, and Antiochus Cyzicenus became king of Coele-Syria, with Damascus as his capital. His successors, Demetrius Eucaerus and Antiochus Dionysus, had troubled careers, being involved in domestic conflicts and in wars with the Parthians, with Alexander Janneus of Judea, and with Aretas the Nabatean, who obtained possession of Damascus in 85 B.C. Tigranes, being of Armenia, held Syria for some years after this date, but was defeated by the Romans, and in 64 B.C. Pompey finally annexed the country.

The position of Damascus during the first century and a half of Roman rule in Syria is obscure. For a time it was in Roman hands, and from 31 B.C.-33 A.D. its coins bear the names of Augustus or Tiberius. Subsequently it was again in the hands of the Nabateans, and was ruled by an ethnarch, or governor, appointed by Aretas, the Nabatean king. This ethnarch adopted a hostile attitude to Paul (2 Corinthians 11:32 f). Later, in the time of Nero, it again became a Roman city. In the early history of Christianity Damascus, as compared with Antioch, played a very minor part. But it is memorable in Christian history on account of its associations with Paul's conversion, and as the scene of his earliest Christian preaching (Acts 9:1-25). All the New Testament references to the city relate to this event (Acts 9:1:25; Acts 22:5-11; 26:12, 20 2 Corinthians 11:32 Galatians 1:17). Afterward, under the early Byzantine emperor, Damascus, though important as an outpost of civilization on the edge of the desert, continued to be second to Antioch both politically and ecclesiastically. It was not until the Arabian conquest (634 A.D. when it passed out of Christian hands, and reverted to the desert, that it once more became a true capital.)

(4) Under Islam.

Damascus has now been a Moslem city, or rather a city under Moslem rule, for nearly thirteen centuries. For about a century after 650 A.D. it was the seat of the Omayyad caliphs, and enjoyed a position of preeminence in the Moslem world. Later it was supplanted by Bagdad, and in the 10th century it came under the rule of the Fatimites of Egypt. Toward the close of the 11th century the Seljuk Turks entered Syria and captured Damascus. In the period of the Crusades the city, though never of decisive importance, played a considerable part, and was for a time the headquarters of Saladin. In 1300 it was plundered by the Tartars, and in 1399 Timur exacted an enormous ransom from it, and carried off its famous armorers, thus robbing it of one of its most important industries. Finally, in 1516 A.D., the Osmanli Turks under Sultan Selim conquered Syria, and Damascus became, and still is, the capital of a province of the Ottoman Empire.

C. H. Thomson

JUDAS OF DAMASCUS

See JUDAS, (6).

Greek

1154. Damaskos -- Damascus, a city of Syria
... Damascus, a city of Syria. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Damaskos
Phonetic Spelling: (dam-as-kos') Short Definition: Damascus Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1154.htm - 6k

1153. Damaskenos -- of Damascus
... of Damascus. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: Damaskenos Phonetic Spelling:
(dam-as-kay-nos') Short Definition: an inhabitant of Damascus Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1153.htm - 6k

9. Abilene -- Abilene, territory northwest of Damascus
... Abilene, territory northwest of Damascus. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Abilene Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-lay-nay') Short Definition: Abilene ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/9.htm - 6k

5139. Trachonitis -- Trachonitis, a rough region South of Damascus
... Trachonitis, a rough region South of Damascus. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Trachonitis Phonetic Spelling: (trakh-o-nee'-tis) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5139.htm - 6k

5018. Tarseus -- of Tarsus
... [Some feel Damascus is older, which also claims this distinction.]. Word Origin
from Tarsos Definition of Tarsus NASB Word Usage Tarsus (2). of Tarsus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5018.htm - 7k

367. Ananias -- Ananias, the name of three Israelites
... Definition: Ananias Definition: Ananias, (a) husband of Sapphira, a member of the
early church at Jerusalem, (b) a member of the church at Damascus, (c) the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/367.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

71. Abanah -- a river near Damascus
... 70, 71. Abanah. 72 . a river near Damascus. Transliteration: Abanah Phonetic
Spelling: (ab-aw-naw') Short Definition: Abanah. Word ...
/hebrew/71.htm - 6k

549. Amanah -- a river near Damascus, also the region from which ...
... Amanah. 550 . a river near Damascus, also the region from which it flows.
Transliteration: Amanah Phonetic Spelling: (am-aw-naw') Short Definition: Amana. ...
/hebrew/549.htm - 6k

2574. Chamath -- a place North of Damascus
... 2573, 2574. Chamath. 2575 . a place North of Damascus. Transliteration: Chamath
Phonetic Spelling: (kham-awth') Short Definition: Hamath. ...
/hebrew/2574.htm - 6k

2578. Chamath Tsobah -- a place North of Damascus
... Chamath Tsobah. 2579 . a place North of Damascus. Transliteration: Chamath Tsobah
Phonetic Spelling: (kham-ath' tso-baw') Short Definition: Hamath-zobah. ...
/hebrew/2578.htm - 6k

6554. Parpar -- a river near Damascus
... 6553, 6554. Parpar. 6555 . a river near Damascus. Transliteration: Parpar
Phonetic Spelling: (par-par') Short Definition: Pharpar. ...
/hebrew/6554.htm - 6k

2327. Chobah -- a place North of Damascus
... 2326, 2327. Chobah. 2328 . a place North of Damascus. Transliteration:
Chobah Phonetic Spelling: (kho-baw') Short Definition: Hobah. ...
/hebrew/2327.htm - 6k

1834. Dammeseq -- a city in Aram (Syria)
... 1833, 1834. Dammeseq. 1835 . a city in Aram (Syria). Transliteration: Dammeseq
Phonetic Spelling: (dam-meh'-sek) Short Definition: Damascus. ... Damascus. ...
/hebrew/1834.htm - 6k

1833. demesheq -- perhaps silk
... in Damascus. By orthographical variation from Dammeseq; damask (as a fabric of Damascus)
-- in Damascus. see HEBREW Dammeseq. 1832, 1833. demesheq. 1834 . ...
/hebrew/1833.htm - 6k

Library

John of Damascus
... John of Damascus. John of Damascus was the greatest theologian and poet
of the Greek Church. His active life belonged to the eighth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/john of damascus.htm

St. John of Damascus
... St. John of Damascus. John of Damascus is by far the most prominent, and
most poetical of all the Greek Christian poets. The exact ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/st john of damascus.htm

John of Damascus. Exposition of the Orthodox Faith.
... John of Damascus. Exposition of the Orthodox Faith. Translated by. The Rev. SDF
Salmond, DD, FEIS,. Principal of the Free Church College, Aberdeen. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/john of damascus exposition of.htm

How Hadad King of Damascus and of Syria, Made Two Expeditions ...
... From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab. CHAPTER 14. How Hadad King Of Damascus
And Of Syria, Made Two Expeditions Against Ahab And Was Beaten. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 how hadad king.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... CHAPTER III"THE HEBREWS AND THE PHILISTINES"DAMASCUS. THE ISRAELITES
IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES"THE PHILISTINES AND ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Canon for Easter Day by St. John of Damascus
... JOHN OF DAMASCUS. ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS John of Damascus is by far the most
prominent and most poetical of all the Greek Christian poets. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/canon for easter day by.htm

How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the ...
... CHAPTER 5. How David Brought Under The Philistines, And The Moabites, And The Kings
Of Sophene And Of Damascus, And Of The Syrians As Also The Idumeans, In War ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how david brought.htm

Cestius Sends Ambassadors to Nero. The People of Damascus Slay ...
... Nero. The People Of Damascus Slay Those Jews That Lived With Them. ... Nero. The
People Of Damascus Slay Those Jews That Lived With Them. ...
/.../chapter 9 cestius sends ambassadors.htm

Paul's Account of what He Saw and Heard on his Way to Damascus
... THE NEW TESTAMENT PAUL'S ACCOUNT OF WHAT HE SAW AND HEARD ON HIS WAY TO DAMASCUS. ...
When I came back I preached first to those at Damascus. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls account of what he.htm

Antipater's Navigation from Rome to his Father; and How He was ...
... CHAPTER 5. Antipater's Navigation From Rome To His Father; And How He Was Accused
By Nicolaus Of Damascus And Condemned To Die By His Father, And By Quintilius ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 antipaters navigation from.htm

Subtopics

Damascus

Damascus: An Ancient City

Damascus: Besieged by Rezon

Damascus: Capital of Syria

Damascus: Garrisoned

Damascus: Laid Under Tribute to David

Damascus: Luxury In

Damascus: Paul's Experiences In

Damascus: Prophecies Concerning

Damascus: Recovered by Jeroboam

Damascus: Taken by King of Assyria