EUPHRATES
“copious”.
One of the great rivers of Western Asia and the world.
It is formed by the union of two tributaries: the Murad, which originates in Armenia, between Lake Van and Mount Ararat, and the Frat or Kara, which originates about 65 km northeast of Erzeroum.
It constitutes the western border of Mesopotamia. At 31 degrees north latitude and 47 degrees east longitude the Tigris joins to the east to form what is now called the Shat el-Arab, which after a journey of about 145 km empties into the Persian Gulf. It was one of the rivers of Paradise (Gen. 2:14).
It was also the northeastern border of Hebrew dominion when it reached its peak (2 Sam. 8:3; 1 Chron. 18:3; 1 Ki. 4:21, 24).
Biblical authors consider it the river par excellence (Deut. 1:7; Jos. 24:2; 1 Kings 4:21).
Due to its confluence with the Tigris and its series of canals, it made possible the brilliant Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian cultures.
The largest city built on its banks was Babylon.