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Paddan-Aram

Locations
Modern Location Southeastern Turkey, near the modern city of Harran
Coordinates 36.8667, 39.0333

Geographical Setting

Paddan-aram denotes the plateau region of Upper Mesopotamia situated east of the Euphrates River, historically associated with the Aramean city of Harran.

What is the meaning of Paddan-Aram in the Bible?

Paddan-aram designates the district of Haran located to the east of the Upper Euphrates valley, identified in biblical tradition as the ancestral home of the patriarchs and the site of Jacob's sojourn.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Paddan-aram clarifies the geographical context of the patriarchal narratives, illustrating the migration patterns of early Israelite ancestors and the cultural connections between the land of Canaan and Mesopotamia.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Paddan-Aram (located near modern Southeastern Turkey, near the modern city of Harran) 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 Paddan-Aram in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Paddan-Aram 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

"Paddan-Aram." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/paddanaram/
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