אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם
𐤀𐤓𐤌 𐤍𐤄𐤓𐤉𐤌
Aram Naharayim
H763 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A geographic designation meaning 'Aram of the Two Rivers,' i.e., the region between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. As used in the Hebrew Bible, it refers specifically to the upper Mesopotamian region associated with the Aramean people, particularly areas around Harran, rather than the broader territory later known as 'Mesopotamia.'
Semantic Range
region of the Two Rivers, territory of the Arameans between the Euphrates and Tigris, upper Mesopotamia, northern Mesopotamia, Aramean homeland
Root / Etymology
Compound of אֲרָם (Aram) meaning 'Aramean' or 'Aram,' and נַהֲרַיִם (Nahărayim), the dual form of נָהָר (nahar, 'river'), indicating 'two rivers.' The construction reflects a geographical designation: 'Aram between the two rivers.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם designates the region in northern Mesopotamia associated with the Arameans during the patriarchal period, roughly the area of later Classical 'Mesopotamia,' but more narrowly focused on the upper reaches of the Euphrates and Tigris near Harran and Paddan-Aram. The term does not encompass all of Mesopotamia as understood in later periods and should be understood distinct from the broader Akkadian or Babylonian regions to the south. English translations often render it as 'Mesopotamia,' but this can be misleading, as the biblical reference is more restricted in scope. The Hebrew Bible employs this term chiefly in connection with the origins of the Israelite ancestors, such as the homeland of Abraham's family and the marriage journey of Isaac and Jacob. In later periods, Greek sources (Septuagint) and English Bibles translate the term as 'Mesopotamia,' reflecting later geopolitical realities and terminology, which do not quite match the original scriptural usage. There is evidence that in different contexts, 'Aram Naharaim' referred to slightly varying regions depending on the time and tradition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אֲרָם and the dual of נָהָר; Aram of (the) two rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) or Mesopotamia; Aham-naharaim, Mesopotamia.
Bantu Hebrew
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ארם + נהר (ʾ-r-m + n-h-r) — Aramean, Aram; river, two rivers, region between rivers
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H763-02 |
נַֽהֲרַ֖יִם | naharayim | HNp |
Naharaim | Aram of the Two Rivers | 5 |
H763-01 |
אֲרַ֥ם | aram | HNp |
Aram | Aram of the Two Rivers | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H763-01 |
Genesis 24:10 | אֲרַ֥ם | aram | HNp |
Aram | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-02 |
Genesis 24:10 | נַֽהֲרַ֖יִם | naharayim | HNp |
Naharaim | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-01 |
Deuteronomy 23:5 | אֲרַ֥ם | aram | HNp |
Aram | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-02 |
Deuteronomy 23:5 | נַהֲרַ֖יִם | naharayim | HNp |
of [the] two rivers | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-01 |
Judges 3:8 | אֲרַ֣ם | aram | HNp |
Aram | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-02 |
Judges 3:8 | נַהֲרָ֑יִם | naharayim | HNp |
Naharaim | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-01 |
Psalms 60:2 | אֲרַ֣ם | aram | HNp |
Aram | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-02 |
Psalms 60:2 | נַהֲרַיִם֮ | naharayim | HNp |
Nahraim | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-01 |
1 Chronicles 19:6 | אֲרַ֨ם | aram | HNp |
Aram | Aram of the Two Rivers |
H763-02 |
1 Chronicles 19:6 | נַהֲרַ֜יִם | naharayim | HNp |
Naharaim | Aram of the Two Rivers |