ABANA (or, as indicated to be read in the Hebrew text, Arnana, classical Chrysorrhoas) and PHARPAR (Heb. Parpar) the "rivers of Damascus" (II. Ki. v. 12). They are commonly identi fied with the two most important rivers of the district, the Barada, flowing through Damascus from its source in the Anti-Lebanon, and the `Awaj, some 8m. S. of Damascus with its source in the Hermon range. The size of the rivers was probably of less mo ment than the sacredness of their waters. Abana (or Amana) may well be the Barada. A tributary, the Nahr Banias, perhaps retains an echo of the name. North of the `Awaj is the independent Bar bar in which we seem to have the name Pharpar. All the rivers of the district are either entirely dissipated in irrigation or eventually lose themselves in marshes to the east.