Geographical and Historical Context:
Arvad, known in modern times as Ruad Island, is a small island located off the coast of present-day Syria, near the city of Tartus. In ancient times, it was a significant maritime city-state in the region of Phoenicia. The island's strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea made it an important hub for trade and naval power. Arvad is mentioned in several ancient texts, including the Bible, where it is noted for its skilled sailors and shipbuilders.

Biblical References:
Arvad is mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of its association with the Phoenician civilization. In Genesis 10:18, Arvad is listed among the descendants of Canaan, indicating its ethnic and cultural ties to the Canaanites: "Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites." This genealogical reference places Arvad within the broader narrative of the Table of Nations, highlighting its role in the ancient Near Eastern world.

In Ezekiel 27:8, Arvad is noted for its maritime prowess, contributing to the naval strength of Tyre: "The men of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; your skilled men, O Tyre, were aboard, serving as your sailors." This passage underscores the island's reputation for producing skilled seafarers who played a crucial role in the commercial and military activities of the Phoenician cities.

Ezekiel 27:11 further emphasizes Arvad's military contribution: "Men of Arvad and Helech manned your walls all around, and the Gammadites were in your towers; they hung their shields on your walls; they perfected your beauty." Here, Arvad's warriors are depicted as part of the defensive and aesthetic strength of Tyre, illustrating the interconnectedness of the Phoenician city-states.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
As a Phoenician city, Arvad shared in the rich cultural and religious traditions of the Phoenicians, who were known for their polytheistic beliefs and worship of deities such as Baal and Astarte. The Phoenicians were also renowned for their contributions to the development of the alphabet, which had a lasting impact on written communication in the ancient world.

Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological excavations on Arvad have revealed remnants of its ancient fortifications, harbors, and residential structures, providing insight into its historical significance as a fortified island city. These findings corroborate the biblical descriptions of Arvad as a center of maritime activity and defense.

Theological Reflections:
From a theological perspective, Arvad's mention in the Bible serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations and the role of various peoples in the unfolding narrative of God's plan. The inclusion of Arvad in the biblical text highlights the diversity of cultures and the spread of human civilization as part of the divine tapestry of history.

In summary, Arvad stands as a testament to the maritime prowess and cultural richness of the Phoenician civilization, with its biblical references providing valuable insights into the historical and theological context of the ancient Near East.Arvad

(wandering) (Ezekiel 27:8,11) The island of Ruad , which lies off Tortosa (Tartus), two or three miles from the Phoenician coast. In agreement with this is the mention of "the Arvadite, in (Genesis 10:18) and 1Chr 1:16 As a son of Canaan, with Zidon, Hamath an other northern localities.

Arvad

A Phoenician city, on a small rocky island at the mouth of the river Eleutherus, twenty-two miles north of Tripolis. It is now called Ruad, and is but a ruin. The Arvadites also occupied the adjacent coast. They were descendants of Canaan, Genesis 10:18; 1 Chronicles 1:16; and were noted mariners, Ezekiel 27:8,11.

Wandering, (Ezek. 27:8), a small island and city on the coast of Syria, mentioned as furnishing mariners and soldiers for Tyre. The inhabitants were called Arvadites. The name is written Aruada or Arada in the Tell-el-Amarna tablets. ARVAD; ARVADITES

ar'-vad, ar'-vad-its ('arwadh; Arados; modern Ruad): An island city off the coast of Syria some 30 miles North of Tripolis, and the race inhabiting it. It was a barren rock covered with fortifications and houses several stories in height. The island was about 800 ft. long by 500 wide, surrounded by a massive wall, and an artificial harbor was constructed on the East toward the main land. It developed into a trading city in early times, as did most of the Phoenician cities on this coast. It had a powerful navy, and its ships are mentioned in the monuments of Egypt and Assyria. It seems to have had a sort of hegemony over the northern Phoenician cities, from Mt. Cassius to the northern limits of Lebanon, something like that of Sidon in the South. It had its own local dynasty and coinage, and some of the names of its kings have been recovered. Its inhabitants are mentioned in the early lists of Genesis 10:18, and Ezekiel 27:8, 11 refers to its seamen and soldiers in the service of Tyre. It brought under its authority some of the neighboring cities on the main land, such as Marathus and Simyra, the former nearly opposite the island and the latter some miles to the South.

Thothmes III, of Egypt, took it in his campaign in north Syria (1472 B.C.) and it is noticed in the campaigns of Rameses II in the early part of the 13th century B.C. (Breasted, Ancient Records). It is also mentioned in the Tell el-Amarna Lettersas being in league with the Amorites in their attacks upon the Egyptian possessions in Syria (44 and 28, B.M. Tell el-Amarna Letters). About the year 1200, or later, it was sacked by invaders from Asia Minor or the islands, as were most of the cities on the coast (Paton, Syria and Palestine, 145) but it recovered when they were driven back. Its maritime importance is indicated by the inscriptions of the Assyrian kings. Tiglath-pileser I (circa 1020) boasts that he sailed in the ships of Arvad. Asshur-nazir-pal (circa 876) made it tributary, but it revolted and we find 200 men of Arvad mentioned among the allies of Benhadad, of Damascus, at the great battle of Quarqar, when all Syria seems to have been in league against Shalmaneser II (circa 854). At this time the king of Arvad was Mattan Baal.

It was afterward tributary to Tiglath-pileser III and Sennacherib, the king who paid it to the latter being Abd-ilihit (circa 701). Ashurbanipal (circa 664) compelled its king Yakinlu to submit and send one of his daughters to become a member of the royal harem (Rawlinson, Phoenicia, 456-57). Under the Persians Arvad was allowed to unite in a confederation with Sidon and Tyre, with a common council at Tripolis(ib 484). When Alexander the Great invaded Syria in 332 B.C. Arvad submitted without a struggle under her king Strato, who sent his navy to aid Alexander in the reduction of Tyre. It seems to have received the favor of the Seleucid kings of Syria and enjoyed the right of asylum for political refugees. It is mentioned in a rescript from Rome about 138 B.C., in connection with other cities and rulers of the East, to show favor to the Jews. It was after Rome had begun to interfere in the affairs of Judea and Syria, and indicates that Arvad was of considerable importance at that time (see 1 Maccabees 15:16-23). The town is not mentioned in the New Testament, and in modern times has sunk to a small village, chiefly inhabited by fishermen. See ARADUS.

H. Porter

719. Arvad -- a city of Phoenicia
... 718, 719. Arvad. 720 . a city of Phoenicia. Transliteration: Arvad Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-vad') Short Definition: Arvad. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/719.htm - 6k

721. Arvadi -- inhab. of Arvad
... Arvadi. 722 . inhab. of Arvad. Transliteration: Arvadi Phonetic Spelling:
(ar-vaw-dee') Short Definition: Arvadite. Word Origin from Arvad Definition inhab. ...
/hebrew/721.htm - 6k

720. Arod -- a son of Gad
... Arod. An orthographical variation of 'Arvad; fugitive; Arod, an Israelite -- Arod.
see HEBREW 'Arvad. 719, 720. Arod. 721 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/720.htm - 6k

Ezekiel's Discourse
... thine awning. The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy rowers: thy
wise men, O Tyre, were in thee, they were thy pilots. The ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Arvad and Northern Phoenicia were still independent, as also the sacred city of
Bylos, but the entire coast from the Nahr-el-Kelb to the headland formed by ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... and the Scyths to the pillage of Asia Minor: "no country could hold out against
their arms, neither Khati, nor Qodi, nor Carchemish, nor Arvad, nor Alasia ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... and nations over which he boasts of having triumphed contains, along with names
unknown to us, some already famous or soon to become so"Arvad, Pibukhu, the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Canaan
... el-Amarna. Still farther north were other cities, of which the most famous
was Arvad, with its harbour and fleet. Southward were ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The Hittites paid tribute, as also did Phoenicia, where he sailed on the
Mediterranean in a ship of Arvad and killed a dolphin in its waters. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... of Ramses III.--- Egyptian myths in Phoenicia: Osiris and Isis at Byblos"Horus,
Thot, and the origin of the Egyptian alphabet"The tombs at Arvad and the ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... On the southern frontier of the Patina lay the important Phoenician cities, Arvad,
Arka, and Sina; and on the south-east, the fortresses belonging to Hamath ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Arvad (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARVAD; ARVADITES. ar ... Tiglath-pileser I (circa
1020) boasts that he sailed in the ships of Arvad. Asshur ...
/a/arvad.htm - 11k

Arvadites (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ARVAD; ARVADITES. ar ... Tiglath-pileser I (circa
1020) boasts that he sailed in the ships of Arvad. Asshur ...
/a/arvadites.htm - 10k

Valorous (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 27:11 The men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, and
valorous men were in your towers; they hanged their shields on your walls all ...
/v/valorous.htm - 6k

Zemer (1 Occurrence)
... Zemer (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:8 The people of Zidon and Arvad were your boatmen;
the wise men of Zemer were in you; they were guiding your ships; (BBE RSV). ...
/z/zemer.htm - 6k

Zemarite (2 Occurrences)
... hint as to locality. A place called Cumur is mentioned in the Tell el-Amarna
Letters along with Arvad. The name probably survives ...
/z/zemarite.htm - 8k

Oarsmen (1 Occurrence)
... Oarsmen (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:8 The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your
rowers: your wise men, Tyre, were in you, they were your pilots. (See NIV). ...
/o/oarsmen.htm - 6k

Gammad (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 27:11 The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about,
and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls ...
/g/gammad.htm - 6k

Gamad (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 27:11 The men of Arvad and Helech were upon thy walls round about, and the
Gammadim were in thy towers; they hanged their shields upon thy walls round ...
/g/gamad.htm - 6k

Gammadim (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 27:11 The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about,
and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls ...
/g/gammadim.htm - 7k

Gammadims (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 27:11 The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about,
and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls ...
/g/gammadims.htm - 6k

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