Aram אֲרָם
Son of Shem, ancestor of the Arameans
Who is Aram in the Bible?
Aram was the son of Shem and grandson of Noah, mentioned in Genesis 10:22-23 and 1 Chronicles 1:17. He is identified as the ancestor of the Aramean people, a Semitic civilization that inhabited Syria and Mesopotamia in the ancient Near East. The Arameans became significant players in biblical history, establishing various kingdoms and city-states throughout the region. Their language, Aramaic, eventually became a widespread lingua franca for trade and diplomacy in the ancient world, even appearing in portions of the Bible itself. Aram's lineage is theologically significant as part of the Table of Nations, demonstrating how humanity's post-flood civilizations descended from Noah's sons.
Biography
Aram is mentioned in Gen.10.22,23 and 1Ch.1.17 as one of the sons of Shem, the son of Noah. He is listed among the descendants of Shem and is identified as the ancestor of the Arameans, a Semitic people who inhabited the regions of Syria and Mesopotamia. The Arameans played a significant role in the history of the ancient Near East, and their language, Aramaic, became a common language of trade and diplomacy. Aram's descendants spread throughout the region, establishing various Aramean kingdoms and city-states.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Asshur Early PatriarchSon of ShemSon of Shem; father of the AssyriansView full profile →
- Elam Tribe of LeviSon of MeshelemiahA temple gatekeeper during David's reignView full profile →
- Arpachshad Early PatriarchSon of ShemSon of Shem, ancestor of AbrahamView full profile →
- Lud Early PatriarchSon of ShemSon of Shem; progenitor of the LydiansView full profile →
Offspring
- Uz Early PatriarchGrandson of ShemSon of Aram, grandson of ShemView full profile →
- Hul Early PatriarchEarly PatriarchA son of Aram, grandson of Shem.View full profile →
- Gether Early PatriarchEarly PatriarchSon of Aram; grandson of Shem; part of Table of Nations.View full profile →
- Mash Early PatriarchGrandson of ShemSon of Aram, grandson of Shem.View full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 2 verses
- Genesis 10:22
"The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 10:23
"The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 1:17
"The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech."
- 1 Chronicles 2:23
"But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲרָם |