Hamath (hâ'math), fortress, citadel. A city of Syria. It was founded by a son of Canaan, Genesis 10:18, Numbers 34:8, and was situated in the valley of the Orontes. It was 165 miles in a straight line north of Jerusalem; was visited by the spies, Numbers 13:21, and it is frequently noticed as the northern boundary of Palestine. Numbers 34:8, Joshua 13:5. Its king, Toi, blessed David for his victory over Zobah, 2 Samuel 1:8-12; Solomon extended his kingdom to Hamath, 1 Kings 8:65, 2 Chronicles 8:4, and built store-cities in that region; afterward the city and country became independent, but were again subdued by Jeroboam II. 2 Kings 14:25. 2 Kings 1:14. It was taken by the Assyrians, 2 Kings 18:34, Isaiah 10:9; Amos calls it "Hamath the great," and speaks of its desolation. Amos 6:2. Its modern name is Hamah, and it is now a place of 30,000 inhabitants.