What are the…
rivers of Damascus

These are the rivers Abana and Pharpar mentioned by the furious army general Naaman when he had leprosy and the prophet Elisha told him to go wash 7 times in the Jordan River. This is event is recorded in the book of Kings.

Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in wrath. —2 Kings 5:12

These rivers of Damascus were exceedingly valuable to the city, and still are today. A large system of canals and waterways made extensive use of their water for irrigation, everyday living, and pleasure. Numerous agricultural fields are enabled east of the city, in this otherwise arid region.