Arabia
Summary
A vast peninsula in southwestern Asia, known as the homeland of nomadic peoples who interacted with Israel throughout biblical history and where Paul retreated after his conversion.
☩Geography and Extent
Arabia occupies the southwestern extremity of Asia, bounded by the Isthmus of Suez and the Red Sea on the west (separating it from Africa), the Indian Ocean on the south, and the Persian Gulf and Euphrates on the east. The boundary to the north was never well defined, spreading into interminable deserts that meet those of Palestine and Syria on the west and Mesopotamia on the east. The peninsula's form is that of a trapezoid, with a superficial area estimated at four times the extent of France. The root meaning of the Semitic word is 'dry' or 'sterile,' and as a noun it means 'desert.'
☩Biblical Divisions
The country was traditionally divided into three districts. Arabia Proper (the ancient Arabia Felix) comprises the peninsula extending southward to the Arabian Sea. Western Arabia (the ancient Arabia Petraea) embraces Sinai and the desert of Petra, extending from Egypt and the Red Sea to about Petra. Northern Arabia joins Western Arabia and extends northward to the Euphrates. In earlier biblical passages, 'Arab' simply means 'desert,' and the inhabitants are called Amalekites, Ishmaelites, Midianites, and similar names.
☩Relations with Israel
The kings of Arabia paid tribute to Solomon, bringing gold and spices in great abundance. Jehoshaphat also received tribute from the Arabians, who brought him flocks—7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. The prophets pronounced oracles against Arabia, warning of coming judgment upon its wandering tribes. Ezekiel mentions that the Arabians traded in lambs, rams, and goats at Tyre's markets.
☩Paul's Arabian Retreat
After his conversion, Paul withdrew to Arabia before returning to Damascus. The Arabia of Paul's retirement is usually understood as either the Syrian desert or, more probably, the Sinaitic peninsula, as suggested by his reference to 'mount Sinai in Arabia' in Galatians. This period of solitude and reflection preceded his emergence as the great apostle to the Gentiles.
Related Verses8 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Arabia," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Arabia," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. I (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 3.George Morrish, "Arabia," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).