Known in Hebrew as Aram, Syria was also variously referred to as Mesopotamia or Aram-naharain (Syria of the two rivers), and Padan-aram. Sections of Syria were also known as Aram-maahah, Aram-beth-rehob, Aram-zobah.

The territorial definition of Syria has varied widely over the course of Bible history. Although it was centered primarily upon what are the borders of modern-day Syria, in more ancient times it extended from northeast of Phoenicia to beyond the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The main cities were Damascus, Antioch (the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch), Hama, Biblos, Aleppo, Palmyra and Carchemish.