Shur
“Wall or rampart”
Summary
A wilderness region on the eastern border of Egypt, traversed by the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea.
☩Location
Shur lay just outside the eastern border of Egypt, forming the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan. The name, meaning 'wall' in Hebrew, may refer to the mountain wall of the Tih plateau visible from the shore plains. It extended east of the Red Sea and the Bitter Lakes, on the route from Egypt toward Assyria.
☩Biblical Events
Shur first appears when Hagar fled from Sarah and was found by an angel 'by the fountain in the way to Shur,' as she attempted to return to Egypt. Abraham later dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, sojourning in Gerar. After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites entered the wilderness of Shur and traveled three days without finding water until they reached Marah.
Related Verses6 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shur," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shur," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shur," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).