Topical Encyclopedia Arpad, a city of ancient Syria, is mentioned in the Bible in the context of its idols and its resistance against the Assyrian empire. The city is often associated with Hamath, another significant city in the region, and both are frequently mentioned together in the biblical narrative.Biblical References: 1. 2 Kings 18:34 : "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 verse is part of the taunt by the Assyrian king Sennacherib's field commander, the Rabshakeh, as he challenges the power of the God of Israel by comparing Him to the gods of other nations, including those of Arpad. The rhetorical question implies the impotence of these idols in the face of Assyrian might. 2. Isaiah 10:9 : "Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?" Here, the prophet Isaiah records the words of the Assyrian king, who boasts of his conquests and equates the cities he has defeated, including Arpad, with those he intends to conquer. The mention of Arpad alongside other cities underscores its significance and the futility of its idols in providing protection. 3. Isaiah 36:19 : "Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand?" This verse echoes the earlier taunt in 2 Kings, emphasizing the theme of the powerlessness of the idols of Arpad and other cities against the Assyrian forces. 4. Jeremiah 49:23 : "Concerning Damascus: Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened, troubled like the restless sea." In this prophecy against Damascus, the mention of Arpad highlights its downfall and the shame brought upon it, likely due to its reliance on ineffective idols. Historical and Cultural Context: Arpad was a fortified city located in northern Syria, known for its strategic importance and its role in regional politics. During the 8th century BC, it was a focal point of conflict between the expanding Assyrian empire and the local Syrian states. The city's idols, like those of many ancient Near Eastern cultures, were believed to be protectors and providers for the people. However, the biblical narrative consistently portrays these idols as powerless, especially in the face of the true God of Israel. The repeated mention of Arpad's idols in the context of Assyrian conquests serves to highlight the biblical theme of the futility of idolatry. The prophets and historical accounts in the Bible use Arpad as an example to demonstrate that reliance on idols, rather than on the God of Israel, leads to shame and defeat. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, the references to the idols of Arpad serve as a cautionary tale against idolatry. The biblical text underscores the sovereignty and supremacy of the God of Israel over all other deities. The downfall of Arpad and its idols is a testament to the belief that only the God of Israel can provide true protection and deliverance. This theme is consistent throughout the prophetic literature, where the impotence of idols is contrasted with the power and faithfulness of God. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 36:19Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Nave's Topical Index Library Deliverance from Assyria The Doom of the Antichrist Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Resources Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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