In an examination of Biblical areas of interest that draw large numbers of people, it is not unusual to determine that some of these “traditional” locations do not confirm to those described in the Bible. Just “how” these locations may have originated remains a large mystery, but the tourist attraction usually prevents any further “correction” to such locations.

            One such location that fits into this question is that of the Exodus route and Biblical Mount Sinai where Moses was given the tablets of stone that contained the Ten Commandments. Also, the location where his brother Aaron made the golden image of an Egyptian God.

            An examination of the Biblical route as Moses described is noted in the Scriptures below. I suggest that you examine the maps in the back of your Bible(s) and determine “if” the route and/or location of Mt. Sinai conforms to that recorded in the book of Exodus (chapters 14-19).

            I have examined the maps in the back of every Bible we own and find that none conform to the description given in God’s Book, the Bible. The question of “why” such a matter that may remain a mystery that we may never know.

The Exodus route is briefly shown in the texts below.

  • Exodus 14:1-3 NIV “1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.”
  • Exodus 14:21-23 NIV 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.
  • Exodus 15:22-25 NIV “22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.”
  • Exodus 19:1-2 NIV 19 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

 

            From these texts that were written by Moses (the one who actually experienced the travel experience), we find the following, in the specific order, and naturally, the same locations.

  1. The Jews came to the sea.
  2. God divided the waters (of the sea) and the Jews crossed on dry land.
  3. They traveled three (3) days before coming to the springs of Morah which were bitter.
  4. God gave a way to clean the water
  5. They traveled on and came to the base of Sinai (after three months travel).

            You should read further, but the above gives us the evidence as to the actual route and when the Jews reached the noted locations. By observing the “when” they reached these locations, we may then determine the general locations of these locations.

  For example:

  1. They came to the bitter springs of Morah “after” crossing the Red Sea “and”
  2. They came to Mt. Sinai “after” passing the bitter  springs of Morah.

            Therefore, by following the route given by Moses, we see that Mt. Sinai is located in a location “after” the Jews had crossed the Red Sea. This would be in the land we now know as Saudi Arabia.

            We are also given another Scripture in the New Testament that supports this location. See: Galatians 4:25 NIV “25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.”

            There have been studies and searches in recent years that have provided information that support more “Biblical” locations. Where the locations that are provided by these “may” or “may not” be the actual locations as described in the Bible.  I cannot help but wonder if God has left these actual locations as a mystery to prevent us humans from making them items of worship. Whatever the case, Sinai apparently will remain a mystery.  [I do suggest you examine the maps in your Bible(s).]

God Bless, Jim Rowe