Meaning of FARFAR

"One of the rivers of Damascus" mentioned by Naaman the general of the army of the king of Syria. Modern identification of this river has been difficult.

Many identify it with two tributaries of El-Barrada that runs through the middle of the city of Damascus, but it is more likely that it is two large rivers of the Damascus plain, El-Barrada that is identified with the Abana (2 R 5:2) and El-Awaj, the "serpent" of the inhabitants of the place who would be identified with the Farfar. Thus Damascus in this biblical context would be understood as the entire region.

The El-Awaj River rises in the foothills of Mount Hermon and after descending through the plain passes about 20 km south of the city. The fertility of the region it irrigates is due to its waters, which are abundant and have an excellent temperature, especially during the first part of spring, so its difference with the waters of the Jordan is great.