The term "Sea of the Arabah" is a biblical designation that refers to the body of water more commonly known as the Dead Sea. This name is derived from its geographical location within the Arabah, a desert region that stretches from the southern end of the Sea of Galilee to the Gulf of Aqaba. The Dead Sea is one of the most significant geographical features in the biblical narrative, serving as a boundary and a landmark in various scriptural accounts.

Biblical References:

The Sea of the Arabah is mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 3:17, the text states, "the Arabah also, with the Jordan as its border, from Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah on the east." This passage highlights the Sea of the Arabah as a boundary marker for the land allotted to the tribes of Israel.

In Joshua 12:3, the Sea of the Arabah is again referenced in the context of the conquests of the Israelites: "and the Arabah as far as the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), eastward toward Beth-jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah." This indicates the strategic importance of the region during the period of Israelite settlement.

Geographical and Historical Context:

The Dead Sea, or Sea of the Arabah, is situated at the lowest point on the earth's surface, approximately 430 meters (1,410 feet) below sea level. It is renowned for its high salinity, which prevents most aquatic life from thriving, hence the name "Dead Sea." The surrounding region, the Arabah, is characterized by its arid climate and rugged terrain.

Historically, the Sea of the Arabah has been a site of interest due to its mineral-rich waters and the presence of bitumen deposits, which were valuable in ancient times for various purposes, including embalming and construction.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the Sea of the Arabah serves as a symbol of desolation and judgment, as seen in the narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:24-25 recounts the destruction of these cities, traditionally believed to have been located near the southern end of the Dead Sea. The region's barrenness is often associated with divine judgment and serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin.

Conversely, the prophetic literature envisions a future transformation of the region. In Ezekiel 47:8-9, the prophet describes a vision where the waters of the Dead Sea are healed and teem with life: "These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah. When they enter the sea, the salty waters there become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be many fish."

Cultural and Religious Impact:

The Sea of the Arabah has also played a role in the cultural and religious life of the region. It is a site of pilgrimage and reflection, drawing visitors who seek to connect with the biblical history and spiritual significance of the area. The unique properties of the Dead Sea, including its therapeutic mud and mineral-rich waters, continue to attract people from around the world.

In summary, the Sea of the Arabah is a multifaceted symbol within the biblical narrative, representing both the stark realities of judgment and the hopeful promise of renewal. Its geographical and historical context enriches our understanding of its role in the biblical world.Sea of the Arabah

SEA OF THE ARABAH

See DEAD SEA.

6160. arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley ...
... a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of
the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea -- Arabah, champaign, desert ...
/hebrew/6160.htm - 6k

1026. Beth Haarabah -- "place of the depression," a place near the ...
... Word Origin from bayith and arabah Definition "place of the depression," a place
near the Dead Sea NASB Word Usage Beth-arabah (3). Beth-arabah. ...
/hebrew/1026.htm - 6k

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... that "the waters rose up in a heap, a great way off at Adam, the city that is beside
Zarathan, and those that went down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
... This land was originally the narrow strip reaching from the Dead Sea to the Red
Sea, lying between the Arabah on the west, and the desert on the east, being ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xl jesus heals multitudes beside.htm

In Judaea
... was the deep depression of the Arabah, through which the Jordan wound, first with
tortuous impetuosity, and then, as it neared the Dead Sea, seemingly almost ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

The Power of Ambition.
... South of the Dead Sea, bounded by the rocky desert on the east and the hot barren
Arabah on the west, extends the wild picturesque range of Mount Seir. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study vi the power of.htm

The Sad Fate of a Guilty Nation
... the royal garden, through the gate between the two walls, and went out toward the
Arabah. ... in the temple of Jehovah, and the stands and the bronze sea that were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the sad fate of a.htm

Afraid of Giants
... Amorites, dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by ... desert
of Zin being probably the present depression called the Arabah, and 'Rehob ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... along the western bank of the Jordan, between Jericho and the Dead Sea] , saying,
2 ... Jordan [The Jordan valley is called in the old Testament the Arabah, and by ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... and though they be hid from My sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will ... oppress
Israel "from the entering in of Hamath unto the brook of the Arabah" (Amos 6 ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

What is the importance of the parting of the Red Sea? | GotQuestions.org

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