Original Word: דַּמֶּשֶׂק
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Dammeseq
Pronunciation: dam-meh-sek
Phonetic Spelling: (dam-meh'-sek)
KJV: Damascus
NASB: Damascus
Word Origin: [of foreign origin]

1. Damascus, a city of Syria

Damascus

Or Duwmeseq {doo-meh'-sek}; or Darmeseq {dar-meh'-sek}; of foreign origin; Damascus, a city of Syria -- Damascus.

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a city in Aram (Syria)
NASB Translation
Damascus (45).

דַּמֶּ֫שֶׂק proper name, of a location Damascus (Assyrian Dimaš‡i, Dimas‡i, Dl^{Pa 280} Schr^{COT Genesis 15:2 & ABK 323} Jäger^{BAS ii. 281 f.} Arabic , ; Aramaic ᵑ7^Onk, etc. דמשק, Ps-Jon דרמשק; ) — דַּמֶּשֶׂק 1 Kings 11:24 28t.; דַּמָּ֑שֶׂק Genesis 14:15 8t.; דַּרְמֶשֶׂק 1 Chronicles 18:5 3t. ch; דַּרְמָ֑שֶׂק2Chronicles 24:23; 28:5; דּוּמֶּשֶׂק 2 Kings 16:10; דְּמֶשֶׁק Amos 3:12 see following, Vrss. דַּמֶּשֶׂק; — ancient Aramaean city, situated latitude 33 degrees 30 minutes north, longitude 36 degrees 15 minutes east, in plain east of Hermon & southeast of Anti-Lebanon; on the Nahr Baradâ (Greek Chrysorrhoas); modern Dimish‡ & Esh-Sham, Rob^{BR iii. 440 ff.} Bd^{Pal 307}; Damascus Genesis 14:15; Amos 5:27; 1 Kings 11:24 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 14:28; Songs 7:5; so also probably Genesis 15:2 (perhaps gloss compare Di), (Amos 3:12 see following); a trading-centre Ezekiel 27:18; as capital & residence of king of Aram 1 Kings 15:18 2Chronicles 16:2, compare 1 Kings 20:34; 2 Kings 16:9,10 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 16:11 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 16:12; 2Chronicles 28:5; Isaiah 7:8 (twice in verse); Isaiah 8:4; Isaiah 10:9 (compare Peters^{Hebraica. April 1885, 242}) Isaiah 17:1 (twice in verse); Isaiah 17:3; Jeremiah 49:23,24,27; including also surrounding territory Ezekiel 47:16,17 compare Ezekiel 47:18; Ezekiel 48:1, see ׳מִדְבַּ֫רָה ד 1 Kings 19:15; ׳נַהֲרוֺת ד 2 Kings 5:12; = kingdom Amos 1:3,5 compare Zechariah 9:1; once (late) ׳מֶלֶךְ ד2Chronicles 24:23; note also ׳אֲרַם ד 2 Samuel 8:5,6 = 1 Chronicles 18:5,6; further ׳אֱלֹהֵי ד2Chronicles 28:23 ("" אֱלֹהֵי מַלְכֵי אֲרָם).

Overview

Damascus, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, stands in Scripture as a focal point for divine dealings with Gentile powers, a crucible of conflict with Israel and Judah, and a stage on which God’s judgments and mercies are displayed. Spanning the patriarchal narratives to post-exilic prophecy, its roughly forty-five Old Testament occurrences trace a consistent theological theme: the Lord rules the nations and uses them to discipline or deliver His people according to covenant faithfulness.

Geographical Setting

Situated on the eastern slope of the Anti-Lebanon range, Damascus lay astride the great north-south “Way of the Sea” and the east-west caravan routes linking Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean. Fed by the Abanah and Pharpar rivers (2 Kings 5:12), its well-irrigated oasis contrasted vividly with the surrounding Syrian wilderness, making it a coveted prize for regional powers. Its citadel, markets, and “broad wall” (Jeremiah 49:27) rendered it both a military bulwark and a commercial hub (Ezekiel 27:18).

Damascus in the Patriarchal Era

1. Genesis 14:15 places Damascus at the northern limit of Abram’s pursuit of Chedorlaomer, marking the city as a landmark in God’s deliverance of Lot.
2. In Genesis 15:2 Abram laments, “The heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus,” revealing early cultural and trade ties that brought a Damascene into a patriarch’s household.

United and Divided Monarchies

• David’s expansion: “David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him” (2 Samuel 8:6; 1 Chronicles 18:6). The episode underscores the Davidic king’s supremacy over hostile nations.
• Solomon’s adversary: Rezon “reigned in Damascus and was Israel’s enemy as long as Solomon lived” (1 Kings 11:23-25), foreshadowing future Syrian antagonism.
• Asa’s treaty: The king of Judah bribed Ben-hadad of Damascus to break league with Baasha (1 Kings 15:18-20; 2 Chronicles 16:2-4), illustrating reliance on foreign alliances instead of the LORD.
• Ahab and Ben-hadad: After victory at Aphek, Ahab covenanted to establish “streets in Damascus” for Israelite merchants (1 Kings 20:34), yet judgment followed for sparing a divinely devoted foe.
• Elisha and Hazael: The prophet’s visit to Damascus (2 Kings 8:7-15) led to Hazael’s usurpation, fulfilling God’s word (1 Kings 19:15) and bringing prolonged oppression upon Israel (2 Kings 13:3, 22).
• Syro-Ephraimite crisis: Rezin of Damascus allied with Pekah of Israel against Judah (Isaiah 7:1-2), but Tiglath-pileser III captured the city, exiled its people, and slew Rezin (2 Kings 16:9).

Prophetic Oracles Against Damascus

• Amos 1:3-5: “I will break the gate-bar of Damascus… and the people of Aram shall go into exile to Kir.”
• Isaiah 17:1-3: “See, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins.” The prophecy entwines the city’s fall with the waning glory of Israel, stressing God’s impartial justice.
• Jeremiah 49:23-27: “Damascus has grown feeble; she has turned to flee, and panic has gripped her.” The oracle affirms Babylon’s role as instrument of judgment.
• Zechariah 9:1: The burden of the LORD “rests on Damascus,” anticipating Alexander the Great’s swift conquest, yet also heralding Zion’s coming King (Zechariah 9:9).

Post-exilic and Eschatological Horizon

Ezekiel’s border visions (Ezekiel 47:16-18; 48:1) allot territory “by the border of Damascus,” signifying future restoration and order under divine governance. Song of Songs 7:4 employs Damascus poetically, attesting the city’s enduring fame. The continued prominence of Damascus in later salvation history is hinted at by its mention in Acts 9 (Greek form), where Saul met the risen Christ, but the Hebrew term’s legacy already foreshadows Gentile inclusion.

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Sovereignty of God over Nations: From Abram’s raid to Babylon’s siege, Damascus exemplifies the truth that “The Most High rules the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:32).
2. Covenant Warnings and Mercy: God used Damascus both to chastise covenant breakers (2 Kings 13:3) and to rescue the repentant (2 Kings 14:25-27).
3. Foreshadowing Gospel Outreach: The city’s strategic trade routes anticipated the gospel’s future spread “to the ends of the earth,” demonstrated when the apostle to the Gentiles was first commissioned on the road to Damascus.
4. Call to Faithfulness: Judah’s imitation of Damascene idolatry (2 Kings 16:10-16; 2 Chronicles 28:23) stands as a timeless warning against adopting worldliness under the guise of expediency.

Summary of Key References

• Patriarchal: Genesis 14:15; 15:2-3
• Davidic conquest: 2 Samuel 8:5-6; 1 Chronicles 18:5-6
• Solomon-Rezon: 1 Kings 11:23-25
• Asa-Ben-hadad treaty: 1 Kings 15:18-20; 2 Chronicles 16:2-4
• Elijah’s commission: 1 Kings 19:15
• Ahab-Ben-hadad pact: 1 Kings 20:34
• Rivers of Damascus: 2 Kings 5:12
• Elisha and Hazael: 2 Kings 8:7-15
• Hazael’s wars: 2 Kings 13:3, 24
• Jeroboam II’s recovery: 2 Kings 14:28
• Rezin and Ahaz: 2 Kings 16:5-12; Isaiah 7:8
• Oracle of ruin: Isaiah 17:1-3; Jeremiah 49:23-27
• Amos’ judgment: Amos 1:3-5
• Trade lament: Ezekiel 27:18
• Border allotments: Ezekiel 47:16-18; 48:1
• Eschatological burden: Zechariah 9:1

בְּדַמֶּ֖שֶׂק בְּדַמָּ֑שֶׂק בְּדַמָּֽשֶׂק׃ בְּדַרְמֶ֖שֶׂק בְדַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ בדמשק בדמשק׃ בדרמשק דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק דַּמֶּ֖שֶׂק דַּמֶּ֗שֶׂק דַּמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ דַּמֶּ֤שֶׂק דַּמֶּ֥שֶׂק דַּמֶּ֧שֶׂק דַּמֶּשֶׂק֩ דַּמָּ֑שֶׂק דַּרְמֶ֔שֶׂק דַּרְמָ֑שֶׂק דַּרְמָֽשֶׂק׃ דַמֶּ֔שֶׂק דַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ דַמֶּ֛שֶׂק דַמָּ֑שֶׂק דַמָּֽשֶׂק׃ דַרְמֶשֶׂק֮ דּוּמֶּ֔שֶׂק דומשק דמשק דמשק׃ דרמשק דרמשק׃ וְדַמֶּ֖שֶׂק ודמשק כְדַמֶּ֖שֶׂק כדמשק לְדַמֶּ֗שֶׂק לְדַמָּ֑שֶׂק לְדַמָּֽשֶׂק׃ לדמשק לדמשק׃ מִדַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק מִדַּמֶּ֖שֶׂק מִדַּמֶּ֗שֶׂק מִדַּמָּֽשֶׂק׃ מדמשק מדמשק׃ bə·ḏam·mā·śeq bə·ḏam·me·śeq ḇə·ḏam·me·śeq bə·ḏar·me·śeq bedamMasek bəḏammāśeq bedamMesek bəḏammeśeq ḇəḏammeśeq bedarMesek bəḏarmeśeq chedamMesek dam·mā·śeq ḏam·mā·śeq dam·me·śeq ḏam·me·śeq damMasek dammāśeq ḏammāśeq damMesek dammeśeq ḏammeśeq dar·mā·śeq dar·me·śeq ḏar·me·śeq darMasek darmāśeq darMesek darmeśeq ḏarmeśeq dūm·me·śeq dumMesek dūmmeśeq ḵə·ḏam·me·śeq ḵəḏammeśeq lə·ḏam·mā·śeq lə·ḏam·me·śeq ledamMasek ləḏammāśeq ledamMesek ləḏammeśeq mid·dam·mā·śeq mid·dam·me·śeq middamMasek middammāśeq middamMesek middammeśeq vedamMesek wə·ḏam·me·śeq wəḏammeśeqInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts