Damascus is one of the most ancient and fascinating cities mentioned in the Bible. Spanning from Genesis to Acts, this city has witnessed kings, prophets, and one of the most powerful conversion stories in all of Scripture. Here are 20 interesting facts about Damascus in the Bible, with supporting Bible verses included.
1. Damascus Is One of the Oldest Cities in the Bible
Genesis 14:15 – “He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.”
2. Abraham’s Servant Eliezer Was from Damascus
Genesis 15:2 – “But Abram said, ‘Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’”
3. Damascus Was Part of the Kingdom of Aram
1 Kings 11:24 – “So he gathered men to him and became captain over a band of raiders, and they went to Damascus and dwelt there, and reigned in Damascus.”
4. King Ben-Hadad Ruled from Damascus
1 Kings 20:1 – “Now Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his forces together… and went up and besieged Samaria.”
2 Kings 6:24 – “And it happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria.”
5. Damascus Was a Wealthy Trade Hub
Ezekiel 27:18 – “Damascus was your customer because of the abundance of goods you made, because of your many luxuries…”
6. Naaman the Leper Was from Damascus
2 Kings 5:12 – “Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?”
7. The Rivers of Damascus Were Famous
2 Kings 5:12 – “...the Abanah and the Pharpar... better than all the waters of Israel?”
8. King Ahaz Copied an Idol’s Altar from Damascus
2 Kings 16:10 – “King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria; and he saw an altar that was at Damascus…”
2 Kings 16:11 – “Then Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus.”
9. God Condemned Damascus for Its Violence
Amos 1:3 – “Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron.’”
10. Isaiah Prophesied the Fall of Damascus
Isaiah 17:1 – “The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.’”
11. Damascus Would Lose Its Glory
Isaiah 17:3 – “The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria…”
12. Jeremiah Repeated the Warning
Jeremiah 49:27 – “I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.”
Jeremiah 49:23 – “Against Damascus. ‘Hamath and Arpad are shamed, for they have heard bad news. They are fainthearted; there is trouble on the sea; it cannot be quiet.’”
13. Saul Went to Damascus to Arrest Christians
Acts 9:1–2 – “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord... asked letters... so that if he found any who were of the Way… he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”
14. Saul Was Blinded Near Damascus
Acts 9:3–4 – “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground…”
Acts 9:8 – “Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.”
15. Saul Spent Three Days in Darkness
Acts 9:9 – “And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”
16. God Spoke to Ananias in Damascus
Acts 9:10–11 – “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias… ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus…’”
17. Saul Was Baptized in Damascus
Acts 9:18 – “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.”
18. Saul Preached Christ in Damascus
Acts 9:20 – “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.”
19. Saul Escaped Damascus in a Basket
Acts 9:25 – “Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.”
2 Corinthians 11:32–33 – “In Damascus the governor… was guarding the city… but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall…”
20. Damascus Represents Both Judgment and Redemption
Acts 22:6 – “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.”
Summary Table
| Fact | Verse Reference | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Old city | Genesis 14:15 | Ancient city near Hobah |
| Eliezer | Genesis 15:2 | Abraham’s servant from Damascus |
| Aramean capital | 1 Kings 11:24 | Seat of Syrian power |
| Ben-Hadad | 1 Kings 20:1 | Ruled from Damascus |
| Trade city | Ezekiel 27:18 | Wealth from goods and wine |
| Naaman | 2 Kings 5:12 | Healed leper from Damascus |
| Famous rivers | 2 Kings 5:12 | Abanah and Pharpar |
| Idol altar | 2 Kings 16:10–11 | Ahaz copies altar from Damascus |
| Condemned | Amos 1:3 | For cruelty to Gilead |
| Destruction foretold | Isaiah 17:1 | City will be a ruinous heap |
| Glory lost | Isaiah 17:3 | Strength of Damascus will fade |
| Fire judgment | Jeremiah 49:27 | Palace of Ben-Hadad burned |
| Saul’s mission | Acts 9:1–2 | Wanted to arrest Christians |
| Jesus appears | Acts 9:3–4 | Saul meets the Lord |
| Saul blinded | Acts 9:8–9 | Three days without sight |
| Ananias’ call | Acts 9:10–11 | Sent to help Saul |
| Baptized | Acts 9:18 | Saul’s conversion |
| Preached Christ | Acts 9:20 | Bold testimony begins |
| Escaped city | Acts 9:25; 2 Cor 11:33 | Let down in a basket |
| Judgment + grace | Acts 22:6 | Damascus turns from wrath to redemption |
