Originally known as Aram (or "the highlands"), a general name for the country north and northeast of Palestine. The people were of Semitic origin (Gen. 10: 22; Gen. 22: 21), and were descended from the same stock as the Israelites. (See Aram.) At the beginning of the Hebrew monarchy Syria was divided into a number of small kingdoms, such as Damascus (2 Sam. 8: 5-6), Maachah and Geshur (1 Chr. 19: 6; 2 Sam. 15: 8), Beth-Rehob (2 Sam. 10: 6), and Zobah (2 Sam. 10: 6, 8). These kingdoms were as a rule rivals of Israel (2 Sam. 8: 3-6; 1 Kgs. 11: 23-25; 1 Kgs. 15: 18; 1 Kgs. 20: 34; 1 Kgs. 22; 2 Kgs. 6: 24 - 7: 20; 2 Kgs. 8: 28-29; 2 Kgs. 10: 32-33; 2 Kgs. 21: 17-18; 2 Kgs. 13: 3-7, 25; 2 Kgs. 14: 28). As the Assyrian kingdom grew stronger, Syria grew weaker, and Damascus was destroyed (2 Kgs. 16: 7-9). Under Seleucus Nicator (312 B.C.) Syria again became a powerful kingdom with Antioch as its capital. Antiochus the Great (223 B.C.) increased its strength, and Palestine became a Syrian province. Then followed the Maccabean rebellion (see Maccabees). In 66 B.C. Syria was conquered by Pompey and became a Roman province; as such it is mentioned in the N.T. in Luke 2: 2; Matt. 4: 24; Acts 15: 41; Acts 18: 18; Acts 21: 3; Gal. 1: 21.