What is Damascus in the Bible?
Capital of Syria, frequent foe of Israel, and the place where Saul was converted and first preached.
Damascus is the chief city of Syria in the Bible. Isaiah calls it the head of Syria (Isaiah 7:8), and its kings, such as Benhadad, dwell there (1 Kings 15:18).
Damascus in the Bible
It is an ancient city northeast of the land of Israel and is today the capital of Syria. It first appears when Abram pursues the captors of Lot to Hobah, on the left hand of Damascus, and Abram's steward is Eliezer of Damascus (Genesis 14:15; Genesis 15:2). David defeats the Syrians of Damascus and puts garrisons there (2 Samuel 8:6).
Naaman boasts of its rivers, Abana and Pharpar (2 Kings 5:12). The king of Assyria takes the city, carries its people captive to Kir, and kills Rezin (2 Kings 16:9). King Ahaz sees an altar at Damascus and has a copy built in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:10).
Prophets announce judgment on it (Isaiah 17:1; Amos 1:3). In the New Testament, Saul is struck by a light from heaven as he nears Damascus on his way to arrest believers. He is led into the city, where the disciple Ananias receives a vision about him (Acts 9:3; Acts 9:10).
Saul then preaches in Damascus (Acts 9:22). Later the governor under King Aretas guards the city to seize him (2 Corinthians 11:32).
- Role
- Chief city of Syria
- First mention
- Genesis 14:15
- Appearances in the Bible
- 55 mentions
Damascus in the Bible
Chapters that mention Damascus
- Genesis 14
- Genesis 15
- 2 Samuel 8
- 1 Kings 11
- 1 Kings 15
- 1 Kings 19
- 1 Kings 20
- 2 Kings 5
- 2 Kings 8
- 2 Kings 14
- 2 Kings 16
- 1 Chronicles 18
- 2 Chronicles 16
- 2 Chronicles 24
- 2 Chronicles 28
- Song of Solomon 7
- Isaiah 7
- Isaiah 8
- Isaiah 10
- Isaiah 17
- Jeremiah 49
- Ezekiel 27
- Ezekiel 47
- Ezekiel 48
- Amos 1
- Amos 3
- Amos 5
- Zechariah 9
- The Acts of the Apostles 9
- The Acts of the Apostles 22
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Coloring pages with Damascus
Questions about Damascus
What is Damascus in the Bible?
Damascus is the chief city of Syria in the Bible. Isaiah calls it the head of Syria (Isaiah 7:8), and its kings, such as Benhadad, dwell there (1 Kings 15:18). It is an ancient city northeast of the land of Israel and is today the capital of Syria. It first appears when Abram pursues the captors of Lot to Hobah, on the left hand of Damascus, and Abram's steward is Eliezer of Damascus (Genesis 14:15; Genesis 15:2). David defeats the Syrians of Damascus and puts garrisons there (2 Samuel 8:6). Naaman boasts of its rivers, Abana and Pharpar (2 Kings 5:12). The king of Assyria takes the city, carries its people captive to Kir, and kills Rezin (2 Kings 16:9). King Ahaz sees an altar at Damascus and has a copy built in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:10). Prophets announce judgment on it (Isaiah 17:1; Amos 1:3). In the New Testament, Saul is struck by a light from heaven as he nears Damascus on his way to arrest believers. He is led into the city, where the disciple Ananias receives a vision about him (Acts 9:3; Acts 9:10). Saul then preaches in Damascus (Acts 9:22). Later the governor under King Aretas guards the city to seize him (2 Corinthians 11:32).
Where is Damascus first mentioned in the Bible?
Damascus is first mentioned in Genesis 14:15.
How many times is Damascus mentioned in the Bible?
Number of mentions in the Bible: 55.