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.

History of Damascus

Patriarchal~2000 BC

Abraham's servant Eliezer is from Damascus

GEN 15:2
United Kingdom~1000 BC

David conquers Damascus and stations troops there

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

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

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

Assyria conquers Damascus and exiles its people

2KI 16:9
New Testament~34 AD

Saul travels to Damascus to persecute Christians

ACT 9:1-2
New Testament~34 AD

The risen Christ appears to Saul on the road to Damascus

ACT 9:3-9
New Testament~34 AD

Ananias heals Saul's blindness and baptizes him in Damascus

ACT 9:10-19
New Testament~34 AD

Saul preaches Christ in Damascus synagogues; escapes in a basket

ACT 9:20-25

Notable Characters in 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.

Key Verses about Damascus

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