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Syria

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A region north of Israel, often in conflict with or allied to Israelite kingdoms.

Detailed Definition
Syria (Aram) appears throughout biblical history as both threat and kin. In poetry, it symbolizes geopolitical tension, cultural exchange, and the complex web of alliances and enmities that shape Israel’s story in the ancient Near East.
Example
Example in poetry:
Syria—Aram, frequent enemy of Israel—appears in prophetic poetry: “Damascus of Syria will cease to be a city” (Isaiah 17:1); A modern poem: “Our Syria is the geopolitical storm that tests faith”; In a lament: “Hazael’s sword ravaged Gilead, but Elisha wept for him”; Historical reflection: “Blessed Naaman, Syrian leper cleansed in Jordan’s humility.”
Additional Notes
Syria (Aram in Hebrew) is the region north of Israel, home to powerful city-states like Damascus. It features in conflicts (e.g., wars with Ahab, Elisha’s miracles among Arameans) and alliances. Prophets like Amos condemn Syrian atrocities (Amos 1:3–5). In poetry, Syria symbolizes geopolitical threat, cultural exchange, and the complex neighbor—sometimes enemy, sometimes recipient of Israelite prophecy (Naaman’s healing). It invites reflection on borders, enmity, and the universality of divine concern beyond ethnic lines.
Also Known As
Aram Syrian Empire
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