Arpad

A city in northern Syria. Arpad was overrun twice by the Assyrians:

• In 740 BC by Tiglath-pileser III

• In 720 BC by Sargon II

The Assyrians used Arpad and Hamath as examples of the inability of any gods, including Israel’s, to protect cities against Assyria’s attacks (2 Kings 18:34; 19:13; Isaiah 10:9; 36:19; 37:13). Arpad and Hamath are also mentioned in a later prophecy against the Syrian city of Damascus (Jeremiah 49:23).

Arpad has been identified as modern Tell Erfad, north of Aleppo.