Atomic Bible

The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

Mesopotamia

Named in 7 verses across 5 books, first in Genesis 24:10.

אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִםMesopotamia

אֲרָםMesopotamia

ΜεσοποταμίαMesopotamia

The name means “between two rivers.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Mesopotamia Written by AI

Mesopotamia, meaning "between the rivers," refers to the ancient region located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in modern-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. It is first mentioned in the Bible as the place where Abraham lived before God called him to go to Canaan (Genesis 24:10; Act.7.2). During the time of the judges, the Israelites were oppressed by Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, for eight years until Othniel, Caleb's younger brother, defeated him (Judges 3:8, 10). Mesopotamia was also the homeland of Balaam, the prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel (Deu.23.4). In the New Testament, Mesopotamia is mentioned as one of the regions from which devout Jews had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost (Act.2.9). Throughout history, Mesopotamia was home to many powerful civilizations, including the Sumerians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, who played significant roles in biblical history.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

The country between the two rivers (Heb. Aram-naharaim; i.e., “Syria of the two rivers”), the name given by the Greeks and Romans to the region between the Euphrates and the Tigris (Gen. 24:10; Deut. 23:4; Judg. 3:8, 10). In the Old Testament it is mentioned also under the name “Padan-aram;” i.e., the plain of Aram, or Syria (Gen. 25:20). The northern portion of this fertile plateau was the original home of the ancestors of the Hebrews (Gen. 11; Acts 7:2). From this region Isaac obtained his wife Rebecca (Gen. 24:10, 15), and here also Jacob sojourned (28:2-7) and obtained his wives, and here most of his sons were born (35:26; 46:15). The petty, independent tribes of this region, each under its own prince, were warlike, and used chariots in battle. They maintained their independence till after the time of David, when they fell under the dominion of Assyria, and were absorbed into the empire (2 Kings 19:13).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

32.537, 44.421 See it on a map

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names it

  1. Genesis 24:10

    Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.

  2. Deuteronomy 23:4

    For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.

  3. Judges 3:8

    Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years.

  4. Judges 3:10

    The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.

  5. 1 Chronicles 19:6

    When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.

  6. Acts 2:9

    Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

  7. Acts 7:2

    And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.