Damascus

"Activity, the most ancient of Oriental cities; the capital of" Syria (Isa. 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 (Gen. 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 Sam. 8:5; 1" "Chr. 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. Isa. 7:8). In this," prophecy was fulfilled (Isa. 17:1; Amos 1:4; Jer. 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 "(Gal. 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.

Definition of Damascus:
"a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning"

Related Bible Dictionary Terms:
Rivers of Damascus