Pharpar
פַּרְפַּר/FAR-par/
“Swift”
Summary
The Pharpar was one of the two rivers of Damascus mentioned by Naaman when he objected to washing in the Jordan.
☩Naaman's Complaint
When Elisha instructed Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan to be healed of leprosy, Naaman indignantly compared it unfavorably to Damascus's rivers. He asked, 'Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?'
Key verses:2 Kings 5:12
☩Identification
The Pharpar is identified with the modern Awaj, a river rising on the southeastern slopes of Mount Hermon and flowing about forty miles before emptying into a lake south of Damascus. It is smaller than the Abana (Barada) but nonetheless contributes to the fertility of the Damascus region.
Key verses:2 Kings 5:12
Related Verses1 mention
2 Kings· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pharpar," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Pharpar," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Pharpar," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Pharpar," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).