One of the main rivers of Syria, it is also called Draco, Typhon and Axius, a name from which the Arabic word "Al-Asi" with which it is designated is derived.
It is born near Baalbek, in Lebanon, and when its waters enter Syria it forms the Lake of Homs; After passing through the Gab area, it empties into the Mediterranean in modern-day Turkey.
During the first three months of the year, which is the Syrian winter, it suffers large increases in flow. It contains water all year round, unlike the rest of the Syrian rivers. It is used for irrigation through large waterwheels.
On its banks rises the city of Homs, called by the prophet Amos (Am. 6:2) "great city", in the extreme north of the land of Israel (Num. 13:21).
The Orontes Valley has always served as a trade route between Palestine and Asia Minor, and on its banks the Hittites defeated the armies of Ramses II at the Battle of Kadesh.
In the year 587 BC, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah (Jer. 39:5-7; 52:9-11; cf. 2 Kings 25:6-7), king of Judah, in the city of Ribla, on the banks of the Orontes River.
Meaning of ORONTES
One of the main rivers of Syria, it is also called Draco, Typhon and Axius, a name from which the Arabic word "Al-Asi" with which it is designated is derived.
