# Syria, Syrian, Ashur ## Facts: Syria is a country located northeast of Israel. During the time of the New Testament, it was a province under the rule of the Roman Empire. * In the Old Testament time period, the Syrians were strong military enemies of the Israelites. * Naaman was a commander of the Syrian army who was cured of leprosy by the prophet Elisha. * Many inhabitants of Syria are descendants of Aram, who was descended from Noah's son Shem. * Damascus, the capital city of Syria, was mentioned many times in the Bible. * Saul went to the city of Damascus with plans to persecute Christians there, but Jesus stopped him. (Translation suggestions: [How to Translate Names](rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)) (See also: [Aram](../names/aram.md), [commander](../other/commander.md), [Damascus](../names/damascus.md), [descendant](../other/descendant.md), [Elisha](../names/elisha.md), [leprosy](../other/leprosy.md), [Naaman](../names/naaman.md), [persecute](../other/persecute.md), [prophet](../kt/prophet.md)) ## Bible References: * [Acts 15:23](rc://en/tn/help/act/15/23) * [Acts 15:41](rc://en/tn/help/act/15/41) * [Acts 20:03](rc://en/tn/help/act/20/03) * [Galatians 01:21-24](rc://en/tn/help/gal/01/21) * [Matthew 04:23-25](rc://en/tn/help/mat/04/23) ## Word Data: * Strong's: H758, H804, G4947, G4948