Definition and Etymology:
Padan, often referred to as Padan-Aram, is a region mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. The name "Padan" is derived from the Hebrew word "פַּדַּן" (Paddan), which is believed to mean "field" or "plain." The term "Aram" refers to the ancient region and people of Aram, located in what is now modern-day Syria. Thus, Padan-Aram can be understood as the "plain of Aram."

Biblical References:
Padan-Aram is prominently mentioned in the context of the patriarchal narratives, particularly in relation to the family of Abraham. It is the homeland of Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, and the place where Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, sought refuge and found his wives, Leah and Rachel.

1. Genesis 25:20 : "And Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Padan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean."

2. Genesis 28:2 : "Go at once to Padan-aram, to the house of your mother's father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother."

3. Genesis 28:5 : "Then Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Padan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau."

4. Genesis 31:18 : "And he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Padan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan."

5. Genesis 33:18 : "After Jacob came from Padan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Padan-Aram is situated in the region of Mesopotamia, which is bounded by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This area was known for its fertile land and was a significant cultural and trade center in ancient times. The city of Haran, located within Padan-Aram, is particularly noteworthy as it served as a key location in the narratives of the patriarchs. Haran was the place where Terah, the father of Abraham, settled after leaving Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:31).

Theological Significance:
Padan-Aram holds considerable theological importance in the biblical narrative. It is the backdrop for God's unfolding covenantal promises to the patriarchs. The region serves as a place of refuge and transformation for Jacob, who fled there to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. During his time in Padan-Aram, Jacob experienced significant personal growth and divine encounters, including the vision of the ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:12-15). This vision reaffirmed God's covenant with Abraham and Isaac, promising Jacob numerous descendants and the land of Canaan.

Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel in Padan-Aram resulted in the birth of the twelve tribes of Israel, further cementing the region's role in the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham's descendants. The narrative of Jacob's time in Padan-Aram underscores themes of divine providence, faithfulness, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the lineage of the patriarchs.Padan

(field). Padan-aram. (Genesis 48:7)

A plain, occurring only in Genesis 48:7, where it designates Padan-aram. 6307. Paddan -- the place where Rachel died
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition the place where Rachel died NASB
Word Usage Aram (1), Paddan (1), Paddan-aram (10). Padan, Padan-aram. ...
/hebrew/6307.htm - 6k

Jacob-Wrestling
... "Jacob called the name of the place Peniel.""Genesis 32:30. ALL the time that Jacob
was in Padan-aram we search in vain for prayer, for praise. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/iv jacob-wrestling.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... of Genesis, Mesopotamia, the country between the Euphrates and Tigris, is called
not only Aram-Naharaim, "Aram of the Two Rivers," but also Padan-Aram, "the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

part 2
... gave tithes unto Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, and that Jacob, when
he had that revelation from the Lord on his way out to Padan-aram, promised ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

The Pilgrim's Longings
... Frequent opportunities came in their way; there was communication kept up between
them and the old family house at Padan-Aram: they had news sometimes from the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the pilgrims longings.htm

Go Back? Never!
... Frequent opportunities came in their way. There was communication kept up
between them and the old family house at Padan-Aram. They ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/go back never.htm

Jacob's Waking Exclamation
... and as far as Jacob's knowledge would go, he was fully assured that all the way
from the place where he left his father until he arrived at Padan-Aram, he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jacobs waking exclamation.htm

Appendix D.
... True enough it is that Jacob, when he came from Padan Aram, "bought a parcel of
a field" at "Shalem a city of Shechem," "at the hand of the children of Hamor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
... He is guided to Padan-aram; God, his guide, leaves him not. At Padan-aram
Laban cheats him, wickedly and wrongfully cheats him in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/never never never never never.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... This "brilliant scion of Shukamuna" entitled himself lord of the Kashshu and of
Akkad, of Babylon the widespread, of Padan, of Alman, and of the swarthy Guti ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

No Compromise
... worldly as your neighbours. Thus is Isaac going down into Padan-aram: thus
is the church going down to the world. Men seem to say ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/no compromise.htm

Padan (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A plain, occurring only in Genesis 48:7, where it designates
Padan-aram. Multi-Version Concordance Padan (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/padan.htm - 6k

Padan-aram (10 Occurrences)
Padan-aram. Padanaram, Padan-aram. Padan-'aram . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Multi-Version Concordance Padan-aram (10 Occurrences). ...
/p/padan-aram.htm - 9k

Padan-'aram (1 Occurrence)
Padan-'aram. Padan-aram, Padan-'aram. Paddan . Multi-Version
Concordance Padan-'aram (1 Occurrence). Genesis 48:7 And ...
/p/padan-'aram.htm - 6k

Paddan (11 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PADDAN. pad'-an (Genesis 48:7; the King James Version
Padan, padan). See next article. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/paddan.htm - 10k

Padanaram (10 Occurrences)

/p/padanaram.htm - 9k

Esau (89 Occurrences)
... When Jacob was sent away to Padan-aram, Esau tried to conciliate his parents (Genesis
28:8, 9) by marrying his cousin Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael. ...
/e/esau.htm - 41k

Rebecca (28 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebecca as wife, the daughter
of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian. ...
/r/rebecca.htm - 14k

Pad (1 Occurrence)

/p/pad.htm - 8k

Kibrath (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 48:7 And I -- in my coming in from Padan-'Aram' Rachel hath died by me in
the land of Canaan, in the way, while yet a kibrath of land to enter Ephrata ...
/k/kibrath.htm - 7k

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