Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ORONTES

The main river of western Syria (modern Nahr el-ʿAṣī), known for the important trade routes that followed it, strategic military campaigns in its area, and the major cities built along its course, especially Antioch-on-the-Orontes (modern Antakya, Turkey). Originating on the eastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, the Orontes flows north some 400 km. (250 mi.) through Syria into southern Turkey before it bends to the southwest; it flows into the Mediterranean 26 km. (16 mi.) below Antioch.

Founded ca. 300 b.c.e. by Seleucus I, Antioch lies on the southeastern side of the Orontes. Cargo was moved on the river to and from Antioch to its Mediterranean port, Seleucia (also known as Seleucia Pieria; Acts 13:4; cf. 14:26; 15:39-41). Seleucia’s ancient harbor (near modern Samandag, Turkey) has now become a flat, marshy area due to silt flowing down the Orontes through the centuries. Other important cities in the Orontes Valley include Riblah, Kadesh-on-the-Orontes, Emessa, Hamath, and Alalakh. In 853 an alliance of Ben-hadad of Damascus, Irḫuleni of Hamath, and Ahab of Israel battled to a standstill the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III at Qarqar on the lower Orontes, and there in 720 Sargon II routed the rebels of Hamath and Damascus.

John L. Gillman

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ORONTES

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)