Crusade BibleCrusade Bible

Mesopotamia(padan aram)

/mes-oh-poh-TAY-mee-uh/

Summary

Mesopotamia, meaning 'between the rivers,' was the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the ancestral homeland of Abraham and the patriarchs before their migration to Canaan.

☩Geography

Mesopotamia ('between the rivers') designates the region between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, extending about 700 miles in length and varying from 20 to 250 miles in width. The Hebrew name Aram-Naharaim means 'Aram of the two rivers.' The northern portion, called Padan-Aram ('plain of Aram'), was a fertile plateau rich in pasture suitable for flocks and herds. The southern portion descending toward Babylon was more arid, a steppe-land with cultivation only along the river banks.

Key verses:Genesis 24:10Deuteronomy 23:4

☩Patriarchal Connections

Nahor and his family settled in Mesopotamia after leaving Ur of the Chaldees, establishing themselves in the region around Haran. From here Abraham sent his servant to obtain a wife for Isaac from among his kindred, and Rebekah was brought from Padan-Aram. A generation later, Jacob fled to this region to escape Esau's wrath and served his uncle Laban there for twenty years, marrying Leah and Rachel and fathering eleven of his twelve sons before returning to Canaan.

Key verses:Genesis 24:10Genesis 28:2-5Genesis 29:1-30Genesis 31:17-21

☩Later Biblical History

Balaam came from Pethor of Mesopotamia to curse Israel at Balak's request. During the period of the Judges, Chushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia oppressed Israel for eight years until Othniel delivered them. When the Ammonites provoked war with David, they hired chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia to assist them. Jews from Mesopotamia were among those present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost who heard the apostles speak in their own languages.

Key verses:Deuteronomy 23:4Judges 3:8-101 Chronicles 19:6Acts 2:9Acts 7:2

Related Verses9 mentions

Acts· 2 verses

2:97:2

Genesis· 2 verses

24:1025:20

Judges· 2 verses

3:83:10

1 Chronicles· 2 verses

19:619:7

See Also

Babylon
Babylon
RUINS AND PLAIN OF MUGHEIR.—Drawn by W. H. Boot. from Ur of the Chaldees into Canaan. - Ridpath's history of the world; being an account of the ethnic origin, primitive estate, early migrations, social conditions and present promise of the principal families of men (1897) (14596923459)
Chaldea

References

  1. 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Mesopotamia," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  2. 2.George Morrish, "Mesopotamia," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  3. 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Mesopotamia," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Mesopotamia," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).