Encyclopedia entry
Aram
The son of Shem (Gen. 10:22); according to Gen. 22:21, a grandson of Nahor. In Matt. 1:3, 4, and Luke 3:33, this word is the Greek form of Ram, the father of Amminadab (1 Chr. 2:10).
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The word means high, or highlands, and as the name of a country denotes that elevated region extending from the northeast of Palestine to the Euphrates. It corresponded generally with the Syria and Mesopotamia of the Greeks and Romans. In Gen. 25:20; 31:20, 24; Deut. 26:5, the word “Syrian” is properly “Aramean” (R.V., marg.). Damascus became at length the capital of the several smaller kingdoms comprehended under the designation “Aram” or “Syria.”
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
(high).
The name by which the Hebrews designated, generally, the country lying to the northeast of Palestine; the great mass of that high tableland which, rising with sudden abruptness from the Jordan and the very margin of the Lake of Gennesaret, stretched at an elevation of no less than 2000 feet above the level of the sea, to the banks of the Euphrates itself. Throughout the Authorized Version the word is, with only a very few exceptions, rendered, as in the Vulgate and LXX., Syria. Its earliest occurrence in the book of Genesis is in the form of Aram-naharaim, i.e. the “highland of or between the two rivers.” (Genesis 24:10) Authorized Version “Mesopotamia.” In the later history we meet with a number of small nations or kingdoms forming parts of the general land of Aram; but as Damascus increased in importance it gradually absorbed the smaller powers, (1 Kings 20:1) and the name of Aram was at last applied to it alone. (Isaiah 7:8) also 1Kin 11:24,25; 15:18 etc. Another Aram is named in (Genesis 22:21) as a son of Kemuel and descendant of Nahor. An Asherite, one of the sons of Shamer. (1 Chronicles 7:34) Son of Esrom or Hezron, and the Greek form of the Hebrew Ram. (Matthew 1:3,4; Luke 3:33)
In the Bible
84
Verses where Aram is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 1:17
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
- 1 Chronicles 2:23
But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 7:34
The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram.
- 1 Chronicles 18:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
- 1 Chronicles 19:6
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.
- 1 Kings 10:29
A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.
+78 more verses naming Aram.
Scripture on Aram
49
See all 49 +−
- 2 Kings 6Matthew 1Genesis 10Genesis 221 Kings 222 Kings 16Luke 3Genesis 24Genesis 25Genesis 35Judges 32 Kings 52 Kings 121 Chronicles 21 Chronicles 72 Chronicles 162 Chronicles 222 Chronicles 28Genesis 31Genesis 33Genesis 46Numbers 23Deuteronomy 23Deuteronomy 26Judges 102 Samuel 82 Samuel 151 Kings 101 Kings 111 Kings 151 Kings 192 Kings 92 Kings 151 Chronicles 11 Chronicles 181 Chronicles 192 Chronicles 12 Chronicles 182 Chronicles 24Isaiah 9Isaiah 17Ezekiel 27Hosea 12Amos 1
Entries that reference Aram
30
Aram references
22
Voices on Aram
16
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869) · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.