Damascus: 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." 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
(Genesis 14:15) It was the native
place of Abraham's steward
(Genesis 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) comp.
(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 1:16,17) 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 Muslim 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.
