{
  "id": "dict_005519",
  "term": "Syria",
  "slug": "syria",
  "letter": "S",
  "entry_type": "geographic_historical_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Syria is the biblical region north of Israel, often corresponding to Aram and the Aramean kingdom centered at Damascus.",
  "simple_one_line": "A northern neighboring region and kingdom in the Bible, often identified with Aram.",
  "tooltip_text": "In much of the Old Testament, Syria overlaps with Aram, especially the Aramean kingdom around Damascus.",
  "aliases": [
    "Aram / Syria"
  ],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Aram",
    "Damascus",
    "Assyria",
    "Israel (nation)",
    "Elisha",
    "Ben-Hadad"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Arameans",
    "Kings of Syria",
    "Isaiah 7",
    "Amos 1",
    "Luke 2:2"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Syria in the Bible usually refers to the region and kingdom of Aram, especially the Aramean power centered at Damascus. It appears frequently in Israel’s political and military history and in the prophets’ judgments on the nations.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Biblical Syria is a northern neighboring region often identified with Aram.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Often corresponds to Aram in the Old Testament",
    "Commonly centered on Damascus",
    "Appears in wars, alliances, and prophetic oracles",
    "Shows God’s sovereignty over surrounding nations."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "In the Bible, Syria usually refers to Aram, especially the Aramean kingdom centered at Damascus. Syria appears in narratives about war, alliances, judgment, and God’s dealings with nations surrounding Israel. Because this is primarily a geographic-historical term, it is better classified as a historical background entry than as a theological concept.",
  "description_academic_full": "Syria in the Bible usually corresponds to Aram, the Aramean region and kingdom north and northeast of Israel, often associated with Damascus. Scripture mentions Syria in connection with military conflicts, political alliances, trade, and prophetic judgments, especially during the periods of the kings and prophets. The term helps readers understand the historical setting of many Old Testament events, including Israel’s interactions with surrounding nations and the broader scope of God’s rule over all peoples. In later biblical usage, Syria can also refer more broadly to the wider imperial or provincial region. It is primarily a geographic and historical designation, though it carries theological significance insofar as biblical history shows the Lord’s sovereignty over the nations.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Syria/Aram appears repeatedly in the history of the monarchy, especially in conflicts involving Saul, David, Ahab, Jehoram, Elisha, and later prophets. The nation is sometimes an enemy, sometimes a temporary ally, and often a setting for prophetic announcements.",
  "background_historical_context": "Historically, Syria refers to the Aramean polities north of Israel, with Damascus as a major center. In later periods the term could broaden in Greco-Roman usage, but in many Old Testament contexts it overlaps with Aram.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "In ancient Near Eastern usage, Aram and related Aramean states were well known to Israel’s neighbors. Jewish readers of Scripture would have recognized Syria as part of the larger geopolitical world surrounding the covenant nation.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "2 Samuel 8",
    "1 Kings 20",
    "2 Kings 6:8–23",
    "2 Kings 7–8",
    "Isaiah 7:1–9",
    "Amos 1:3–5"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "2 Samuel 10",
    "1 Kings 11:23–25",
    "2 Kings 16:5–9",
    "Jeremiah 49:23–27",
    "Luke 2:2",
    "Acts 15:23, 41"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Hebrew Aram commonly corresponds to Syria; Greek Syría is used in later biblical writings. The terms are related but not always identical in scope.",
  "theological_significance": "Syria is not itself a doctrine, but it serves as a witness to God’s rule over the nations. The Bible presents surrounding kingdoms, including Syria, as fully subject to the Lord’s purposes, judgment, and mercy.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a place-name and kingdom-name, Syria functions as a historical referent rather than an abstract theological category. Its significance comes from how Scripture places real nations within God’s providential governance.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not flatten every occurrence of Syria into the same historical referent. In many Old Testament passages it overlaps with Aram, while in some later contexts the broader regional sense may be intended. Avoid treating the term as a doctrinal label.",
  "major_views_note": "Most interpreters agree that many Old Testament references to Syria overlap with Aram. Some discussions focus on how broad the term is in later biblical and historical usage, especially in Greek and Roman contexts.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry should not be used to build doctrine about national identity, prophetic speculation, or ethnic destiny beyond what Scripture clearly teaches.",
  "practical_significance": "Syria helps readers follow the historical setting of many Old Testament narratives and prophetic passages, especially when Israel is interacting with neighboring powers.",
  "meta_description": "Syria in the Bible usually refers to Aram, the Aramean region and kingdom centered at Damascus.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/syria/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/syria.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}