Syria · OT & NT
Damascus
The ancient Syrian capital where Saul of Tarsus met the risen Christ on the road.
Today: Damascus, Syria
Damascus sits on the edge of the Syrian Desert, watered by the Abana and Pharpar rivers, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Mentioned as early as Abraham's pursuit of the kings (Genesis 14), it was the capital of the Aramean kingdom that troubled Israel for centuries.
Damascus is the place where Saul of Tarsus, breathing threats and murder against the disciples, was struck down on the road, blinded by a light from heaven, and heard the voice of Jesus: 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' He was led into the city, baptized by Ananias, and from Damascus began the apostolic ministry that would carry the gospel across the Roman world.
Key verses
"And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus."
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"Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage."
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"And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:"
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"and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus. And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God."
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"neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus."
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