Arpad; Arphad
LocationsGeographical Setting
Arpad was an ancient Syrian city-state located northwest of Aleppo, serving as a strategic target for Assyrian expansion in the 8th century BCE.
What is the meaning of Arpad; Arphad in the Bible?
Arpad was a city in Syria captured frequently by the Assyrians, and finally subjugated by Tiglath-pileser III in 740 BC. It is now the ruin Tell Erfad, 13 miles Northwest of Aleppo.
SIGNIFICANCE
Arpad's significance lies in its frequent mention alongside Hamath as a conquered city in biblical accounts, highlighting the Assyrian Empire's military campaigns and territorial expansion.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Arpad; Arphad (located near modern Tell Erfad) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Arpad; Arphad in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Arpad; Arphad clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Arpad; Arphad." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/arpad-arphad/