Where is Hamath in the Bible?

What happened at Hamath?

Hamath, also referred to as Hamath Rabbah or Lebo-hamath, was a prominent city and kingdom located in Syria, north of Israel. It is mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament, often serving as a reference point for the northern extent of Israel's territory (Numbers 13:21; 34:8; Joshua 13:5; Judges 3:3; 1Ki.8.65; 2Ch.7.8; Ezk.47.15-17, 20; 48:1; Amo.6.14). Hamath had its own kings, such as Toi, who sent his son Joram to congratulate David on his victories over Hadadezer (2Sa.8.9-10; 1Ch.18.9-10). The city was known for its military strength and strategic importance, as evidenced by its mentions in the context of conflicts and conquests (2Ki.14.28; 17:24, 30; 18:34; 19:13; Isaiah 10:9; 36:19; 37:13; Jeremiah 39:5; 49:23; 52:9, 27). During the reigns of various Israelite kings, Hamath served as a marker of the extent of their dominion. Jeroboam II, king of Israel, is said to have restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah (2Ki.14.25). Solomon, known for his expansive kingdom, is described as having ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt, including Tiphsah and Gaza (1Ki.4.21, 24). The Assyrians conquered Hamath in the 8th century BC and deported some of its inhabitants to Samaria (2Ki.17.24, 30). The fall of Hamath is mentioned in the prophetic oracles of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos, often in the context of judgment against the city for its pride and wickedness (Isaiah 10:9; Jeremiah 49:23; Amo.6.2). In the prophetic visions of Ezekiel, Hamath is mentioned as one of the boundaries of the restored land of Israel (Ezk.47.15-17, 20; 48:1), indicating its continued significance as a geographical marker. The exact location of Hamath is believed to be near the modern-day city of Hama in western Syria, situated along the Orontes River. Its strategic location along trade routes and its proximity to Israel made it a city of great importance in the ancient Near East.

Where does Hamath appear in the Bible?

Hamath is referenced in 30 verses across 13 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

• 1 Chronicles 13:5
• 1 Chronicles 18:9
• 1 Kings 8:65
• 2 Chronicles 7:8
• 2 Chronicles 8:4
• 2 Kings 14:25
• 2 Kings 14:28
• 2 Kings 17:30
• 2 Kings 18:34
• 2 Kings 19:13
• 2 Kings 23:33
• 2 Kings 25:21
• 2 Samuel 8:9
• Amos 6:2
• Amos 6:14
• Ezekiel 47:15
• Ezekiel 47:17
• Ezekiel 47:20
• Ezekiel 48:1
• Isaiah 10:9
• Isaiah 36:19
• Isaiah 37:13
• Judges 3:3
• Jeremiah 49:23

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Hamath.