People of the Bible
Aram
Years: 2304 BC – 2304 BC
The son of Shem ([Gen. 10:22](/gen#Gen.10.22)); according to [Gen. 22:21](/gen#Gen.22.21), a grandson of Nahor. In [Matt. 1:3](/matt#Matt.1.3), [4](/matt#Matt.1.4), and [Luke 3:33](/luke#Luke.3.33), this word is the Greek form of Ram, the father of Amminadab ([1 Chr. 2:10](/1chr#1Chr.2.10)).
The word means high, or highlands, and as the name of a country denotes that elevated region extending from the northeast of Palestine to the Euphrates. It corresponded generally with the Syria and Mesopotamia of the Greeks and Romans. In [Gen. 25:20](/gen#Gen.25.20); [31:20](/gen#Gen.31.20), [24](/gen#Gen.31.24); [Deut. 26:5](/deut#Deut.26.5), the word “Syrian” is properly “Aramean” (R.V., marg.). Damascus became at length the capital of the several smaller kingdoms comprehended under the designation “Aram” or “Syria.”
The word means high, or highlands, and as the name of a country denotes that elevated region extending from the northeast of Palestine to the Euphrates. It corresponded generally with the Syria and Mesopotamia of the Greeks and Romans. In [Gen. 25:20](/gen#Gen.25.20); [31:20](/gen#Gen.31.20), [24](/gen#Gen.31.24); [Deut. 26:5](/deut#Deut.26.5), the word “Syrian” is properly “Aramean” (R.V., marg.). Damascus became at length the capital of the several smaller kingdoms comprehended under the designation “Aram” or “Syria.”