Dictionary Summary: The son of Shem ([Gen. 10:22](/gen#Gen.10.22)); according to [Gen. 22:21](/gen#Gen.22.21), a grandson of Nahor. In [Matt. 1:3](/matt#Matt.1.3), [4](/matt#Matt.1.4), and [Luke 3:33](/luke#Luke.3.33), this word is the Greek form of Ram, the father of Amminadab ([1 Chr. 2:10](/1chr#1Chr.2.10)). The word means high, or highlands, and as the name of a country denotes that elevated region extending from the northeast of Palestine to the Euphrates. It corresponded generally with the Syria and Mesopotamia of the Greeks and Romans. In [Gen. 25:20](/gen#Gen.25.20); [31:20](/gen#Gen.31.20), [24](/gen#Gen.31.24); [Deut. 26:5](/deut#Deut.26.5), the word “Syrian” is properly “Aramean” (R.V., marg.). Damascus became at length the capital of the several smaller kingdoms comprehended under the designation “Aram” or “Syria.” ²