Red Sea from NASA Satellite
Map of the Red Sea region

The red sea (Hebrew: ים סוף, Yam Suf, Hebrew: הים האדום, Hayam Haadóm, Arabic: البحر الأحمر, Bahr el-Ahmar) is a gulf of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia (Arabian Peninsula). The Red Sea extends about 1,900 km from the straits of Bab el-Mandeb to the tip of the Sinai peninsula.[1] The Red Sea has two arms to the north. One to the west, separating Arabia from Egypt and one to the east, separating the Sinai Peninsula from Arabia.[2] The west arm leads to the Gulf of Suez where is located the Suez Canal nowadays.[2] The east arm leads to the Gulf of Aqabah.[3]

In the Bible

The crossing of the Red Sea, oil on canvas, 124 x 174 cm Jacques Courtois (1621-1676)

The Israelites were led from Egypt on the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea (or Sea of reeds, rushes - Hebrew: יַם־ס֑וּף, yam sûph) (Exodus 13:18 ). There took place the miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea that allowed the people of Israel could escape the persecution of the Egyptians.(Exodus 14:15-23 )

References

  1. Douglas, J. D., ed. (1980). The Illustrated Bible Dictionary. 3. Inter-Varsity Press/Tyndale House Publishers. p. 1323. ISBN 0-8423-7525-2. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Pfeiffer, Charles F (1979). Baker´s Bible Atlas. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House. p. 14-15. ISBN 0-8010-6930-0. 
  3. Wood, D. R. W, ed. (1985). New Bible Atlas. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers. p. 31. ISBN 0-8423-4675-9. 

External links