Red sea
“Sea of reeds or seaweed”
Summary
The Red Sea (Hebrew Yam Suph, "Sea of Reeds") was the body of water through which God miraculously delivered the Israelites from Egypt and destroyed Pharaoh's army.
☩Name and Geography
The Israelites called this body of water Yam Suph, meaning "Sea of Reeds" or "Sea of Seaweed," referring to the abundant marine vegetation thrown up on its shores. The Greek and Latin translations rendered this as "Red Sea," though the origin of this name is debated: some attribute it to the reddish mountains on the western coast, others to red coral or seaweed, and still others to the copper-colored inhabitants of Arabia. The Red Sea stretches approximately 1,350-1,450 miles in length, with the Gulf of Suez on the west and the Gulf of Aqabah on the east of the Sinai Peninsula. Solomon later built a navy at Ezion-geber on the Gulf of Aqabah.
☩The Miraculous Crossing
The passage of the Red Sea was the crisis of the Exodus. When the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh's pursuing army and the sea, Moses stretched out his hand, and God caused a strong east wind to blow all night, dividing the waters. The Israelites crossed on dry land with walls of water on either side. When the Egyptians pursued, God troubled their army, removing their chariot wheels. At dawn, Moses stretched out his hand again, and the sea returned to its strength, overwhelming Pharaoh's entire army. The event confirmed Israel's faith and established Moses as God's servant.
☩Significance in Scripture
The Red Sea crossing became a central memory in Israel's faith, frequently recalled in psalms, prophecy, and the New Testament. Psalm 78:13 and 136:13-15 celebrate God's power in dividing the sea. The prophets referenced it as proof of God's ability to deliver His people. In the New Testament, the crossing is cited as an example of faith in Hebrews 11:29, and Paul uses it as a type of baptism in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2. The event demonstrated God's sovereignty over creation and His commitment to redeem His people from bondage.
Related Verses40 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Red Sea," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Red Sea," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Red Sea, The," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. IX (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Red Sea," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.George Morrish, "Red Sea," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).