In the Bible, the region later known as Armenia was primarily referred to as Ararat.
The name Ararat identifies both a specific mountain, famously associated with the landing of Noah's Ark, and a kingdom or land in the ancient Near East. While the modern name "Armenia" is not explicitly found in the original Hebrew or Greek biblical texts, the geographic area it encompasses is consistently linked to the land of Ararat.
The Region of Ararat in Scripture
The biblical references to Ararat highlight its significance as a geographical and political entity in ancient times.
- Noah's Ark: The most prominent mention of Ararat is in the Book of Genesis, where it states that Noah's Ark came to rest "on the mountains of Ararat" after the Great Flood (Genesis 8:4). This passage firmly establishes Ararat as a region of significant biblical history.
- Kingdom of Ararat: Beyond the mountain, Ararat also referred to a kingdom (Urartu in Assyrian records), located in the highlands between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, which corresponds to much of modern Armenia. The Bible mentions Ararat as a kingdom in other contexts, for example:
- 2 Kings 19:37 / Isaiah 37:38: Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, was assassinated by his sons, who then escaped "into the land of Ararat." This indicates Ararat as a known territory or refuge.
- Jeremiah 51:27: Ararat is listed among the kingdoms called upon to join the fight against Babylon, alongside Minni and Ashkenaz, further solidifying its identity as a distinct political entity.
Evolution of the Name: From Ararat to Armenia
The transition from "Ararat" to "Armenia" in historical understanding and translations is a notable development. While the biblical texts themselves use "Ararat," the identification of this region with what later became known as Armenia was established quite early. The name "Ararat" was indeed associated with, and in some contexts, effectively "changed" to "Armenia" in various historiographical works and very early Latin translations of the Bible as early as the 1st century AD. This demonstrates a historical recognition of the continuity between the biblical land of Ararat and the emerging nation of Armenia.
