Definition and Etymology:
Padanaram, also known as Paddan-Aram, is a region mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. The name "Padanaram" is derived from two Hebrew words: "Padan," meaning "field" or "plain," and "Aram," referring to the region of Aram, which is associated with the Arameans. Thus, Padanaram can be understood as the "plain of Aram."

Biblical References:
Padanaram is primarily referenced in the context of the patriarchal narratives in Genesis. It is the homeland of the ancestors of the Israelites, specifically the family of Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, and the birthplace of Rachel and Leah, the wives of Jacob.

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

2. Genesis 28:2 : "Go at once to Paddan-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 : "So Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Paddan-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 Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan."

Geographical Context:
Padanaram is located in the region of Mesopotamia, which is situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It is often associated with the city of Haran, where Abraham's family settled after leaving Ur of the Chaldeans. Haran served as a significant location for the patriarchs, being the place where Abraham's servant found Rebekah and where Jacob fled to escape Esau's wrath.

Cultural and Historical Significance:
Padanaram holds considerable importance in the biblical narrative as the setting for key events in the lives of the patriarchs. It is the place where Jacob worked for Laban for twenty years, during which he married Leah and Rachel and fathered many of his children, who would become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The region is emblematic of God's providence and faithfulness to the patriarchs. Despite the challenges Jacob faced, including deceit and hardship, God blessed him abundantly in Padanaram, fulfilling His promises to Abraham and Isaac.

Theological Implications:
Padanaram serves as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's covenantal promises. The experiences of the patriarchs in this region highlight themes of divine guidance, provision, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the lineage of Abraham. Jacob's time in Padanaram is marked by personal growth and transformation, as he encounters God and matures in his faith.

Related Entries:
· Haran: A city in Padanaram, significant in the lives of Abraham and Jacob.
· Laban: Jacob's uncle, who plays a crucial role in the Padanaram narrative.
· Rachel and Leah: Jacob's wives, both from Padanaram, who become matriarchs of Israel.Padanaram

By this name, which signifies the table-land of Aram , i.e. Syriac, the Hebrews designated the tract of country which they otherwise called the Aram-naharaim, "Aram of the two of rivers," the Greek Mesopotamia, (Genesis 24:10) and "the field (Authorized Version,country?) of Syria." (Hosea 12:13) The term was perhaps more especially applied to that portion which bordered on the Euphrates, to distinguish if from the mountainous districts in the north and northeast of Mesopotamia. It is elsewhere called PADAN simply. (Genesis 48:7) Abraham obtained a wife for Isaac from Padan-aram. (Genesis 25:20) Jacob's wives were also from Padan-aram, (Genesis 28:2,5,6,7; 31:1-8; 33:18)

The plain of Aram, or the plain of the highlands, (Genesis 25:20; 28:2, 5-7; 31:18, etc.), commonly regarded as the district of Mesopotamia (q.v.) lying around Haran.

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... friend, hold on. Follow him to Padanaram. He was there twenty years, and
during that time his wages were changed ten times. He worked ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

Padanaram (10 Occurrences)
... around Haran. Multi-Version Concordance Padanaram (10 Occurrences). Genesis
25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah ...
/p/padanaram.htm - 9k

Padan-aram (10 Occurrences)
Padan-aram. Padanaram, Padan-aram. Padan-'aram . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(DBY WBS YLT). Padanaram, Padan-aram. Padan-'aram . Reference Bible.
/p/padan-aram.htm - 9k

Thence (152 Occurrences)
... Genesis 28:2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father;
and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's ...
/t/thence.htm - 37k

Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... and reproach directed against Jacob, Laban is at length pacified, and taking an
affectionate farewell of his daughters, returns to his home in Padanaram. ...
/j/jacob.htm - 77k

Gotten (38 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had
gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go ...
/g/gotten.htm - 18k

Padan (1 Occurrence)

/p/padan.htm - 6k

Pitched (101 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land
of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. ...
/p/pitched.htm - 33k

Shalem (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land
of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. ...
/s/shalem.htm - 8k

Carried (327 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had
gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go ...
/c/carried.htm - 35k

Goods (231 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had
gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go ...
/g/goods.htm - 43k

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