Paddan-aram, also known as "Padan-aram," is a significant geographical and historical region mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is primarily associated with the ancestral narratives of the patriarchs, particularly in the Book of Genesis. The name "Paddan-aram" is often understood to mean "the field of Aram" or "the plain of Aram," indicating its location within the broader region of Aram, which corresponds to parts of modern-day Syria and northern Mesopotamia.

Biblical References and Significance

Paddan-aram is first introduced in the context of 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, finds refuge and a wife. The region is closely associated with the city of Haran, where Abraham's family settled after leaving Ur of the Chaldeans.

1. Rebekah's Origin: In Genesis 25:20, it is noted that Isaac married Rebekah, "the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean." This connection establishes Paddan-aram as the familial home of Rebekah and her brother Laban.

2. Jacob's Journey: Jacob's journey to Paddan-aram is a pivotal event in his life. After deceiving his brother Esau and fearing for his life, Jacob flees to Paddan-aram to stay with his uncle Laban. Genesis 28:2 records Isaac's instruction to Jacob: "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. Jacob's Marriages and Family: During his time in Paddan-aram, Jacob marries Leah and Rachel, Laban's daughters, and fathers eleven of his twelve sons, who would become the progenitors of the tribes of Israel. Genesis 31:18 recounts Jacob's departure from Paddan-aram: "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."

4. Return to Canaan: After many years of service to Laban, Jacob returns to Canaan with his family and possessions. This return marks a significant transition in the narrative of the patriarchs, as Jacob's experiences in Paddan-aram shape his character and destiny.

Cultural and Historical Context

Paddan-aram was part of the ancient Near Eastern world, characterized by its semi-nomadic lifestyle and pastoral economy. The region's mention in the patriarchal narratives highlights the interconnectedness of the biblical patriarchs with the broader cultural and familial networks of the time. The relationships formed in Paddan-aram, particularly through marriage, played a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants.

Theological Implications

The events in Paddan-aram underscore themes of divine providence, covenant faithfulness, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Jacob's experiences in Paddan-aram, including his marriages and the birth of his children, are integral to the development of the nation of Israel. The narrative demonstrates God's guidance and blessing upon Jacob, despite the challenges and conflicts he faces.

Paddan-aram serves as a backdrop for God's continued work in the lives of the patriarchs, illustrating His sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. The region's role in the biblical narrative highlights the importance of family, heritage, and the faithfulness of God across generations.PADDAN-ARAM

pad'-an-a'-ram or p.-ar'-am (paddan 'aram; Septuagint Mesopotamia tes Surias; the King James Version Padan-aram): In Genesis 48:7, Paddan stands alone, but as the Septuagint, Sam, and Peshitta read "Aram" also, it must in this verse have dropped out of the Massoretic Text. In the time of Abraham, padanu occurs on the Babylonian contract-tablets as a land measure, to which we may compare the Arabic feddan or "ox-gang." In the Assyrian syllabaries it is the equivalent of iklu, "a field," so that Paddan-aram would mean "the field of Aram," and with this we may compare Hosea 12:12 (Hebrew 12:13) and the use of the Hebrew sadheh in connection with Moab and Edom (Judges 5:4 Ruth 1:6).

Furthermore, [`padanu] and harranu are given as synonyms with the meaning of "road."

Paddan-aram occurs only in the Priestly Code (P), but it corresponds to the "Haran" of the older documents. The versions agree in translating both as Mesopotamia, and identify with the home of the patriarchs and the scene of Jacob's exile the district of Haran to the East of the Upper Euphrates valley. More in harmony with the length of Jacob's flight, as indicated by the time given (Genesis 31:22, 23), is Harran-el-`Awamid, an ancient site 10 miles to the East of Damascus, which satisfies all the demands of history.

See ARAM.

W.M. Christie

6307. Paddan -- the place where Rachel died
Paddan or Paddan Aram. 6306b, 6307. Paddan or Paddan Aram. 6308 . the
place where Rachel died. Transliteration: Paddan or Paddan ...
/hebrew/6307.htm - 6k

Chapter xxviii
... Up, go to Paddan-aram, to the home of Bethuel, thy mother's father, and take a wife
to thyself from the daughters of Laban, thy mother's brother. ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxviii.htm

Chapter xxxiii
... And Jacob arrived safe and sound at the city of Shechem, which is in the land of
Canaan, upon his return from Paddan-Aram, and he encamped in front of the city ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiii.htm

Chapter xxxv
... point of view is that Jacob is to be regarded as still on his way home from
Paddan-Aram. ... These are the sons of Jacob which were born to him in PaddanAram. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

Chapter xxxi
... he drove away all his cattle and all his substance which he had acquired, the cattle
constituting his property which he had acquired in Paddan Aram, in order ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Chapter xlviii
... had anticipated further issue, had died prematurely at Ephrathah"Bethlehem"at the
time of the return of the family from Paddan (usually called Paddan-Aram ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... point of view is that Jacob is to be regarded as still on his way home from
Paddan-Aram. ... These are the sons of Jacob which were born to him in PaddanAram. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Chapter xlvi
... And the sons of Zebulon: Sered and Elon and Jahleel. These are the descendants of
Leah whom she bare unto Jacob in Paddan-aram"and Dinah, her daughter. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Chapter xxvi
... God Almighty") v. Genesis 27:3, 'eloh??m ("God") v. Genesis 27:4; ha'aramm?? ("the
Aramaean, or the Syrian") verse Genesis 27:5; paddan aram v. Genesis 27:2, 5 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

Paddanaram
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PADDAN-ARAM. pad'-an-a'-ram or p.-ar'-am
(paddan 'aram; Septuagint Mesopotamia tes Surias; the King ...
/p/paddanaram.htm - 8k

Paddan-aram (10 Occurrences)
Paddan-aram. Paddanaram, Paddan-aram. Paddle . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ...
(See JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV). Paddanaram, Paddan-aram. Paddle . Reference
/p/paddan-aram.htm - 10k

Paddan (11 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Syrian of PaddanAram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife ...
/p/paddan.htm - 10k

Aram (130 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Syrian of PaddanAram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife ...
/a/aram.htm - 40k

Bethu'el (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of
Bethuel the Aramean, of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be ...
/b/bethu'el.htm - 8k

Bethuel (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Syrian of PaddanAram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife ...
/b/bethuel.htm - 11k

Laban (52 Occurrences)
... 11:31; Genesis 12:5). Since Haran, and the region about it where his flocks fed,
belonged to the district called Aram (see PADDAN-ARAM; MESOPOTAMIA), Laban is ...
/l/laban.htm - 28k

Aramaean (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Aramaean of Paddan-aram, and the sister of Laban the Aramaean, to be ...
/a/aramaean.htm - 10k

Aramean (17 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of
Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his ...
/a/aramean.htm - 12k

Syrian (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel
the Syrian of PaddanAram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife ...
/s/syrian.htm - 10k

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