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Damascus

Damascus City

CityOld Testament & New Testament
33.5138°N, 36.2765°E View on Map

About Damascus

Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and plays a significant role in biblical history. It was on the road to Damascus that Saul of Tarsus had his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ and was converted, becoming the apostle Paul. The prophet Elijah was told to anoint Hazael as king of Syria in Damascus. The city is mentioned throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Events at Damascus

Paul the ApostleLinked to this placePaul the ApostleConverted on the road to Damascus; began preaching there immediately

History of Damascus

  1. Patriarchal~2000 BC

    Abraham's servant Eliezer is from Damascus

    GEN 15:2
  2. United Kingdom~1000 BC

    David conquers Damascus and stations troops there

    2SA 8:5-6
  3. Divided Kingdom~850 BC

    Naaman the Syrian commander comes from Damascus to be healed by Elisha

    2KI 5:1-14
  4. Divided Kingdom~732 BC

    Assyria conquers Damascus and exiles its people

    2KI 16:9
  5. New Testament~34 AD

    Saul travels to Damascus to persecute Christians

    ACT 9:1-2
  6. New Testament~34 AD

    The risen Christ appears to Saul on the road to Damascus

    ACT 9:3-9
  7. New Testament~34 AD

    Ananias heals Saul's blindness and baptizes him in Damascus

    ACT 9:10-19
  8. New Testament~34 AD

    Saul preaches Christ in Damascus synagogues; escapes in a basket

    ACT 9:20-25

Notable Characters in Damascus

Locations Related to Damascus

Biblical Significance of Damascus

Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and plays a significant role throughout biblical history. It was an important city in the time of Abraham, who had a servant from Damascus. During David's reign, it was conquered by Israel, but it later became the capital of the powerful Aramean kingdom that often warred with Israel. The prophets Isaiah and Amos pronounced judgment against Damascus for its treatment of Israel. In the New Testament, Damascus became famous as the site of Saul's conversion. The phrase 'road to Damascus' has entered common language to describe any sudden, dramatic transformation. After his encounter with the risen Christ, Saul was blind for three days until Ananias came to him. He immediately began preaching in Damascus and had to escape over the wall in a basket when plots arose against him. Paul later recalled this conversion as the defining moment of his life.

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