What is the…
Red Sea

also known as: Gulf of Suez, Yam-mitstraim (“the Egyptian sea”), Ha-yam (“the sea”), Erythraean Sea, Sinus Arabicus, Southern Sea, Arabian Gulf, Mare Mecca (“Sea of Mecca”), and possibly Yam Suph

Latin: Mare Rubrum —meaning: Red Sea

The origin of the name “Red” Sea is uncertain. Some think it is derived from the red color of the mountains on the western shore, or from the land of Edom (meaning “red”); others from the red coral found in the sea, or the red appearance sometimes given to the water by certain cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium erythraeum) floating in it.

An early Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint version of the Book of Exdous first introduced the name “Red Sea” into a Bible translation. However, this is not a literal translation, but an assumed identification by the translators for the body of water referred to in Exodus.

The Hebrew name in question is סוּף יָם or יַם־סוּפ —transliteration: yam suph —meaning: “Reed Sea,” “Sea of Reeds” or “Sea of Weeds”

Red Sea—satellite view • Note its 2 northern arms: the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba

The Red Sea of Egypt and Saudi Arabia extends along the west coast of Saudi Arabia for about 1,400 miles, and separates Asia from Africa. It is connected with the Indian Ocean, of which it is an arm, by the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb (or Bab el Mandeb—“Gate of Tears”).

The 2 northern gulfs of the Red Sea—satellite view

At Ras Mohammed, a point about 200 miles from its nothern extremity, it is divided into two arms. Between these two arms lies the Sinai Peninsula (Sinaitic Peninsula).

Ras Mohammed, the point where the Red Sea splits into 2 gulfs—satellite view

The Hebrew name generally given to the sea that the Israelite exodus crossed with God’s help is Yam Suph. The word suph may refer to reeds or weeds. Some suggest that Moses is recalling a woolly kind of seaweed which the sea cast up in great abundance on its shores. Or there may be some other explanation for the name.

In the following verses it seems certain that the body of water referred to is what we (and the ancient Greeks) know as the Red Sea. Therefore, in these verses Yam Suph is always translated as “Red Sea,” which is the name given by the Greeks to the sea separating Africa from Asia.

So Yahweh changed the wind to a very strong west wind which took up the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea; not one locust remained in all the territory of Egypt. —Exodus 10:19 LSB

Hence God turned the people to the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in battle array from the land of Egypt. —bExo. 13:18 LSB

And I will set your boundary from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River… —Exo. 23:31 LSB excerpt

Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea. —Num. 14:25

Red Sea in the New Testament

Greek: Ερυθρὰ Θάλασσα —transliteration: Erythra Thalassa —literally: Red Sea

Two verses in the New Testament specifically name the body of water crossed by the Israelites as the “Red” Sea (Gulf of Suez, Red Sea).

This man led them out, doing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. —Acts 7:36

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land, and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. —Heb. 11:29

So, the New Testament confirms that the body of water crossed by the exodus of Israel from Egypt is the Red Sea, and makes no reference to it as being a Reed Sea or Weed Sea.

The Red Sea was also called Yam Mitstraim by the Hebrews, literally “Egyptian Sea” (Isaiah 11:15), and simply Ha-yam, “the sea” (Exodus 14:2, 9, 16, 21, 28; Joshua 24:6-7; Isaiah 10:26, etc.).

Miracle of the Israelite crossing through the Red Sea

This is the great historical event connected with the Red Sea is the passage of the children of Israel, and the overthrow of the Egyptians, to which there is frequent reference in Scripture.

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Article Version: September 20, 2024