Helam

HELAM (hē'lăm, Heb. hēlām). A place in the Syrian desert east of the Jordan where David defeated the forces of Hadadezer, king of Zobah (2Sam.10.16-2Sam.10.17). The exact location is unknown.

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HELAM he’ ləm (חֵילָ֑ם). The place to which the Syrians under Hadadezer retreated and were defeated by David (2 Sam 10:16, 17), after Joab initially beat them before the city of the Ammonites. The location is uncertain, although Ezekiel 47:16 LXX, would indicate its location was N of Damascus toward Hamath. It is possibly identical with Alema (modern ’Alma), mentioned in 1 Maccabees 5:26 and the Egyp. Execration texts (c. 1850 b.c.), S of Damascus, in Hauran.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

A place near which David is said to have defeated the Aramean world under Hadarezer (2Sa 10:16 ). Its site is unknown. Cornill and others introduce it into the text of Eze 47:16 from the Septuagint Heliam). This would place it between the territories of Damascus and Hamath, which is not unreasonable. Some scholars identify it with Aleppo, which seems too far north.