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Damascus [N] [H] [S]

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."


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 ; Compare 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 Galatians 1:17 ). Christianity was planted here as a centre ( Acts 9:20 ), from which it spread to the surrounding regions.


These dictionary topics are from


Bibliography Information

Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Damascus". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

Damascus [N] [E] [S]

a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning
Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names. Public Domain. Copy freely.


Bibliography Information

Hitchcock, Roswell D. "Entry for 'Damascus'". "An Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names". . New York, N.Y., 1869.

Damascus, [N] [E] [H]

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 2 Samuel 8:6 ) 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 2 Kings 16:8 2 Kings 16:9 ) 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. Queens 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.


Bibliography Information

Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Damascus,'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.



1. The Name

2. Situation and Natural Features

3. The City Itself

4. Its History

(1) The Early Period (to circa 950 BC)



(4) Under Islam

1. Name:


2. Situation and Natural Features:



3. The City Itself:





4. Its History:









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 BC-33 AD 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) . 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; 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 AD when it passed out of Christian hands, and reverted to the desert, that it once more became a true capital.)

(4) Under Islam.


C. H. Thomson

Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.

Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'DAMASCUS'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.