Damascus

Places

As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is mentioned many times in the Bible and other Jewish sources. Damascus is sometimes synonymous with Aram, an Aramean state, in the Jewish sources. Today, Damascus is the capital of Syria.

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Damascus and Divine Presence

TANAKH

The divine presence and attention towards Damascus equates it with the tribes of Israel, suggesting a significant spiritual connection and future transformation. The Book of Zechariah, a prophetic text from the post-exilic period, includes a divine pronouncement that God will dwell in Hadrach and Damascus, and that people, like the tribes of Israel, will turn their attention to God.

A pronouncement: The word of GOD.
[God] will reside in the land of Hadrach and Damascus;
For mortals will turn their eyes to GOD—
Like all the tribes of Israel—

Zechariah 9:1

Jerusalem's Future Expansion

MIDRASH

The rabbis interpreted biblical prophecies to suggest that Jerusalem will one day expand to encompass Damascus, offering a vision of future redemption and the return of exiles. The Sifrei Devarim, a second-century midrashic commentary on Deuteronomy, explores messianic prophecies and Jewish eschatological hopes.

Sifrei Devarim 1:19

The Sins of Damascus and Their Neighbors

COMMENTARY

Abarbanel delves into why the prophet Amos omits certain nations in his prophecy about Damascus, linking it to broader themes of reproof for Israel. This 15th-century commentary by Isaac Abarbanel on the Book of Amos provides a deep analysis of the prophet's messages and their historical context.

1. "Thus said Hashem for the three sins of Damascus..." Amos the prophet was prophecising here about six non Jewish nations. Damascus was the head of the kingdom of Aram, Aza the head of the Phillistine kingdom, Tzur, Edom, Amon and Moab. Why aren't the other nations who also attacked and destroyed Israel mentioned here (eg Babylon, Egypt...). I see two possible reasons. The first is that Amos connected his prophecy to that of Yoel. Yoel's prophecy mentioned the two destructions of the Temple and their judgement ("I will gather the nations and bring them to the valley of judgement and there I…

Abarbanel on Amos 1:3:1

Abram's Heir from Damascus

TARGUM

Abram's concern about being childless and the potential inheritance by Eliezer of Damascus offers a deeply personal perspective on the significance of Damascus. The Targum Jerusalem, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, reflects Abram's intimate worries and God's covenant with him.

And Abram said, Before Thee I supplicate mercy, O Lord God. Manifold blessings Thou hast given me, and many hast Thou before Thee still to give: nevertheless, what profit have I who go from the world childless, and Eliezer, the son of my house, by whose hands signs were wrought for me in Damasek, expecteth in himself to be my heir?

Targum Jerusalem, Genesis 15:2

Unveiling Prophecy Misconceptions

COMMENTARY

Rashi clarifies a possible misunderstanding about the fate of Jerusalem compared to Samaria and Damascus. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century French biblical commentator, explains what is mistaken in this prophecy and what is not.

The Lord said to me The prophets have already prophesied (supra 8:4): “The wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria shall be carried off before the king of Assyria.” But he erred, saying (supra 10:11), “Indeed, as I did to Samaria..., so will I do to Jerusalem...”

Rashi on Isaiah 36:10:2

The Turbulent Reign of King Ahaz

SECOND TEMPLE

The reign of King Ahaz was marked by significant military conflicts and political upheavals, including the intervention of the powerful Assyrian empire. Josephus, a 1st-century Jewish historian, provides a detailed account of these events, highlighting the devastation of Syria and the displacement of the Damascenes.

3. Hereupon king Ahaz, having been so thoroughly beaten by the Israelites, sent to Tiglath-Pileser, king of the Assyrians, and sued for assistance from him in his war against the Israelites, and Syrians, and Damascenes, with a promise to send him much money; he sent him also great presents at the same time. Now this king, upon the reception of those ambassadors, came to assist Ahaz, and made war upon the Syrians, and laid their country waste, and took Damascus by force, and slew Rezin their king, and transplanted the people of Damascus into the Upper Media, and brought a colony of Assyrians…

The Antiquities of the Jews 9:12:3

The Judgment Against Damascus

TANAKH

The divine retribution against Damascus highlights the severe consequences of their brutal actions and transgressions. The prophet Amos, speaking during the First Temple period, delivers a message of destruction and exile for Damascus due to their mistreatment of Gilead.

Thus said GOD:
For three transgressions of Damascus,
For four, I will not revoke the decree:
Because they threshed Gilead
With threshing boards of iron. I will send down fire upon the palace of Hazael,
And it shall devour the fortresses of Ben-hadad. …

Amos 1:3-5

David's Triumph Over Damascus

TANAKH

David's military victories transformed the Arameans of Damascus into tributary vassals, showcasing his strategic prowess and divine support. The biblical narrative in Samuel II details David's establishment of garrisons and the subjugation of the Arameans, emphasizing his success as ultimately decided by God.

And when the Arameans of Damascus came to the aid of King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 of the Arameans. David stationed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became tributary vassals of David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.

II Samuel 8:5-6

David's Campaigns in Aram of Damascus

COMMENTARY

Radak provides detailed historical and geographical insights into King David's military actions in Aram of Damascus, clarifying the interchangeable names of the cities involved. Radak, a medieval Jewish commentator, offers a nuanced understanding of I Chronicles 18:6:1, shedding light on the historical context of David's campaigns.

David stationed in Aram of Damascus. This means that he stationed garrisons and officers there, as it says in the book of Samuel, “David stationed garrisons in Aram of Damascus” (2 Sam 8:6). There it says “and from Betah (בטה) and Berothai” (ibid. v. 8), whereas here it says “and from Tibbath (טבחת) and Cun” (v. 8), because the cities were called by both names. Indeed, טבחת and בטח are one and the same, only the letters are transposed.

Radak on I Chronicles 18:6:1

Treaty and Trade in Ancient Damascus

TANAKH

The political and economic interactions between Israel and Damascus reveal the complexities of ancient diplomacy and trade. In the biblical narrative of Kings I, we find a treaty between King Ahab of Israel and Ben-hadad of Aram, which includes the return of captured towns and the establishment of trade bazaars in Damascus.

Ben-hadad said to him, “I will give back the towns that my father took from your father, and you may set up bazaars for yourself in Damascus as my father did in Samaria.” “And I, for my part,” [said Ahab,] “will let you go home under these terms.” So he made a treaty with him and dismissed him.

I Kings 20:34

Eliezer of Damascus

COMMENTARY

Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, has a fascinating backstory connecting him to the city of Damascus and his lineage from the great pagan Nimrod. The 13th-century Torah commentary, Chizkuni, offers a unique perspective on Eliezer’s origins and his connection to Damascus.

הוא דמשק אליעזר, “the heir apparent at this stage is only the servant Eliezer who was born in Damascus.” He was a grandson of the great pagan Nimrod.

Chizkuni, Genesis 15:2:2

Jeroboam's Military Triumphs

TANAKH

Jeroboam's military achievements, including the recovery of Damascus and Hamath, highlight a significant moment in the history of Israel and Judah. The lost Annals of the Kings of Israel is said to have documented the reigns and exploits of the kings, including Jeroboam's notable military actions.

The other events of Jeroboam’s reign, and all his actions and exploits, how he fought and recovered Damascus and Hamath for Judah in Israel, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

II Kings 14:28

The Trade Wealth of Damascus

TANAKH

Damascus was a significant trading hub, known for its high-quality Helbon wine and fine white wool. The Book of Ezekiel, written during the Babylonian exile, provides insights into the economic and trade relationships of ancient cities, including Damascus.

Because of your wealth of merchandise, because of your great wealth, Damascus traded with you in Helbon wine and white wool.

Ezekiel 27:18

Defining the Boundaries of Eretz Yisrael

HALAKHAH

Understanding the geographical boundaries of Eretz Yisrael is crucial for applying specific agricultural laws. In his 12th-century legal code, the Mishneh Torah, Rambam meticulously defines which regions are considered part of Syria and which are part of the Diaspora.

What constitutes Syria? From Eretz Yisrael and below parallel to Aram Naharaim and Aram Tzovah, the entire region of the Euphrates until Babylonia, e.g., Damascus, Achalev, Charan, Minbag, and the like until Shinar and Tzahar. These are considered like Syria. Acre, by contrast, is considered part of the Diaspora, like Ashkelon. These are the boundaries of Eretz Yisrael.

Mishneh Torah, Heave Offerings 1:9

Abram's Journey to Canaan

COMMENTARY

Understanding the possible routes Abram might have taken to reach Canaan provides deeper insight into the historical and geographical context of his journey. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible offers a clear and engaging exploration of Abram's journey, including the likelihood of traveling through Syria and Damascus.

Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot, son of his brother, and all their property that they had acquired, and the people that they had acquired in Haran; they departed to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to the land of Canaan. The Torah does not specify the route they took, but it can be assumed that they either traveled through Syria and then along the coast of the Mediterranean, or along the international road that traversed present-day Iraq and Syria to Damascus, and then turned south across the Golan Heights until they crossed over the Jordan River into the land of Canaan via…

Steinsaltz on Genesis 12:5

Jewish Quarter, old city of Damascus, Frederic Leighton, 1874

Relatedראו גם

Aram

Ahab

The First Temple

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