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What is Syria in the Bible?

Neighboring land whose kings often warred against Israel and Judah, later a Roman province where the gospel spread.

Syria is the land north and northeast of Israel whose capital the Old Testament names as Damascus (Isaiah 7:8). In the Old Testament the KJV uses Syria for the Hebrew Aram, and in the New Testament it is the Roman province of that name.

Syria in the Bible

Hosea recalls that Jacob fled into the country of Syria and kept sheep there for a wife (Hosea 12:12). David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became his servants (2 Samuel 8:6). Later kings of Syria were frequent enemies of Israel and Judah.

Benhadad besieged Samaria (1 Kings 20:1), Naaman served as captain of the king of Syria's army (2 Kings 5:1), Elisha foretold that Hazael would be king over Syria (2 Kings 8:13), and Hazael oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:22). Rezin king of Syria joined Pekah of Israel in besieging Ahaz at Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:5). In the New Testament, Cyrenius is governor of Syria at the time of the taxing (Luke 2:2), and the fame of Jesus spreads throughout all Syria (Matthew 4:24).

Paul goes through Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches (Acts 15:41).

Name origin
Greek
Role
Kingdom of Damascus; later Roman province
First mention
Judges 10:6
Appearances in the Bible
71 mentions

Questions about Syria

What is Syria in the Bible?

Syria is the land north and northeast of Israel whose capital the Old Testament names as Damascus (Isaiah 7:8). In the Old Testament the KJV uses Syria for the Hebrew Aram, and in the New Testament it is the Roman province of that name. Hosea recalls that Jacob fled into the country of Syria and kept sheep there for a wife (Hosea 12:12). David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became his servants (2 Samuel 8:6). Later kings of Syria were frequent enemies of Israel and Judah. Benhadad besieged Samaria (1 Kings 20:1), Naaman served as captain of the king of Syria's army (2 Kings 5:1), Elisha foretold that Hazael would be king over Syria (2 Kings 8:13), and Hazael oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:22). Rezin king of Syria joined Pekah of Israel in besieging Ahaz at Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:5). In the New Testament, Cyrenius is governor of Syria at the time of the taxing (Luke 2:2), and the fame of Jesus spreads throughout all Syria (Matthew 4:24). Paul goes through Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches (Acts 15:41).

Where is Syria first mentioned in the Bible?

Syria is first mentioned in Judges 10:6.

How many times is Syria mentioned in the Bible?

Number of mentions in the Bible: 71.