Bible Dictionary

Padanaram

Places & Geography • Old Testament

Padan-aram was the northern Mesopotamian region also called Aram-naharaim. Abraham obtained Rebekah from there, and Jacob’s wives Rachel and Leah came from that land.

Definition

Padan-aram, meaning the tableland of Aram, was the tract of country otherwise called Aram-naharaim, or Aram of the two rivers. It was identified with Greek Mesopotamia and may have referred especially to the part bordering the Euphrates, distinguishing it from the mountainous districts farther north and northeast. The name is also shortened to Padan.

Biblical Usage

Abraham obtained a wife for Isaac from Padan-aram, and Jacob’s wives Rachel and Leah came from there. The region is therefore prominent in the biblical accounts of the patriarchal families and their marriages.

Historical Background

Padan-aram was also called the field or country of Syria and Aram-naharaim. Its name signifies the tableland of Aram, and the supplied material associates it with the Euphrates border of Mesopotamia.

Scripture References

Genesis 24:10 Hosea 12:13 Genesis 48:7 Genesis 25:20 Genesis 28:2 Genesis 28:5 Genesis 28:6 Genesis 28:7 Genesis 31:1-8 Genesis 33:18

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Smith's Bible Dictionary

By this name, which signifies the table-land of Aram, i.e. Syriac, the Hebrews designated the tract of country which they otherwise called the Aram-naharaim, “Aram of the two of rivers,” the Greek Mesopotamia, (Genesis 24:10) and “the field (Authorized Version,’country’) of Syria.” (Hosea 12:13) The term was perhaps more especially applied to that portion which bordered on the Euphrates, to distinguish if from the mountainous districts in the north and northeast of Mesopotamia. It is elsewhere called Padan simply. (Genesis 48:7) Abraham obtained a wife for Isaac from Padan-aram. (Genesis 25:20) Jacob’s wives were also from Padan-aram, (Genesis 28:2,5,6,7; 31:1-8; 33:18)

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