MESOPOTAMIA, a famous Province, situate between the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates. phrates. The Hebrews call it Aram Naharaim1, or Aram of the two Rivers, because it was first peopled by Aram, Father of the Syrians, and is situate between two great Rivers, as we said before: This Countrey is much celebrated in Scripture, as being the first Dwelling of Men, both before and after the Deluge; and because it gave Birth to Phaleg, Heber, Terah, Abraham, Nabor, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, and to the Sons of Jacob. Babylon was in the ancient Mesopotamia, till by vast Labour and Industry the two Rivers of Tigris and Euphrates were reunited in one Channel. The Plains of Shinar were in the same Countrey. Often they gave it the Name of Mesopotamia Syriæ1, because it was inhabited by the Arameans or Syrians; sometimes that of Padan-aram, the Plains of Aram, or Sede-aram, the Fields of Aram; to distinguish them from the barren and uncultivated Gen. xxviii. 7. xxxi. 18. xxxiii. 18. xxxv. 9. Hosea xii 12.Mountains of the same Countrey. Balaam Son of Beor, was of Mesopotamia. Deut. xxiii. 4. Chushanrishathaim, King of Mesopotamia, kept the Hebrews in Subjection some Time after the Death of Joshua, Judg. iii. 8.
Besides the Countrey commonly called Mesopotamia in Greek, and Aram Naharaim in Hebrew, or Syria of the two Rivers; some mention another2, which was in Syria between the Rivers Marsyas and Orontes. This Opinion is founded upon what follows. First the Term Mesopotamia signifies simply a Countrey lying between two Rivers; so that this Name may be given to any Countrey that has such a Situation, whatever the Rivers may be that inclose it. Secondly the Title of Psalm lx intimates, that David burnt Mesopotamia of Syria, and Syria of Zobal. But it is known that David did not make War with the King of Zoba, but to enlarge his Conquests as far as the Euphrates, and that Syria of Zoba was beyond this River. Thirdly, the Book of Judith says, that Holofernes went over Euphrates, Judith. ii. 24.and went through Mesopotamia; and destroyed all the high Cities. Certain it is that this General came out of Assyria. Mesopotamia, properly so called, was in Obedience to Nebuchadnezzar his Master. He therefore passed over the Euphrates, to come into the Mesopotamia of Syria of which we are speaking, very different from that known to the Greeks and Latins, which was between the Tigris and Euphrates.
To chuse which Side we will take in this Difficulty, we must see whether these Objections are strong enough, to make us forsake the general Opinion of Geographers; who till now have acknowledged but one Province, called Mesopotamia in Greek and Latin, and Aram-Naharaim in Hebrew. For if the Texts upon which the Objection is founded can be explained in a probable Manner, without the Expedient of a second Mesopotamia, it is plain that we ought not to have Recourse to it. But as to the Title of Psalm lx, it is but of little Authority, since the greatest Part of these Titles of the Psalms have been placed there at Adventures, and a long Time after the Authors composed them. Besides, it may be explained by saying, that David fought with Mesopotamia of Syria; that is to say, that he conquered the auxiliary Troops which came from Mesopotamia beyond the Euphrates, to the Assistance of Hadarezor and the Ammonites, as is expresly said in the second Book of Samuel x. 16, 19. And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the River. And when all the Kings that were Servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made Peace with Israel, and served them.
As to the Passage of Judith, it may be said, that Holofernes passed the Euphrates twice, by himself in Person, or by the Person of his Captains. The first Time when he came into Syria and Cilicia, and reduced these Provinces. The second Time when he had conquered them, and when he repassed the Euphrates to reduce some other People, who would not yet acknowledge his Master Nebuchadnezzar. We do not affirm that he passed through in his own Person all the Countreys that are mentioned in Judith. It is sufficient if this was performed by his Orders, and by his Lieutenants. Therefore nothing in the two Texts objected to us, can oblige us to acknowledge any other Mesopotamia, than that so well known to all Geographers.
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