Stream of Egypt
Jump to: Smith'sHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The "Stream of Egypt" is a term found in the Bible that refers to a geographical boundary often associated with the southern border of the land promised to the Israelites. This term is generally understood to denote the Wadi el-Arish, a seasonal riverbed located in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula. The Stream of Egypt is significant in biblical texts as it marks the extent of the territory given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 15:18 : "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates.'" This passage is part of the Abrahamic Covenant, where God delineates the vast expanse of land promised to Abram's descendants. The "river of Egypt" here is understood to be the Stream of Egypt, marking the southwestern boundary.

2. Numbers 34:5 : "Then the border will turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, where it will end at the Sea." This verse describes the southern boundary of the land of Canaan as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land. The "Brook of Egypt" is synonymous with the Stream of Egypt, indicating the border's endpoint at the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Joshua 15:4 : "It then passed along to Azmon, joined the Brook of Egypt, and ended at the Sea. This was their southern border." In the allocation of the land among the tribes of Israel, the southern boundary of the tribe of Judah is described, again using the Stream of Egypt as a key landmark.

4. 1 Kings 8:65 : "So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—observed the festival before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all." This passage highlights the extent of Solomon's kingdom, from the northern boundary at Lebo-hamath to the southern boundary at the Stream of Egypt.

Historical and Geographical Context:

The Stream of Egypt, identified with the Wadi el-Arish, is a dry riverbed that flows only during the rainy season. It is located in the Sinai Peninsula, which has historically served as a natural boundary between Egypt and the lands to its northeast. The identification of the Stream of Egypt with Wadi el-Arish is supported by its geographical location and historical references in ancient texts.

Theological Significance:

The Stream of Egypt holds theological importance as it represents the fulfillment of God's promise to the patriarchs regarding the land of Israel. It serves as a tangible marker of the divine covenant and the territorial inheritance of the Israelites. The boundary established by the Stream of Egypt underscores the extent of God's provision and the realization of His promises to His chosen people.

In summary, the Stream of Egypt is a critical geographical and theological element in the biblical narrative, symbolizing the southernmost boundary of the Promised Land and the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His covenantal promises.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Stream of Egypt

occurs once in the Old Testament-- (Isaiah 27:12) [RIVER OF EGYPT] RIVER OF EGYPT - 3664

Strong's Hebrew
7883. Shichor -- a stream on the border of Egypt
... Or Shichowr {shee-khore'}; or Shichor {shee-khore'}; probably from shachar; dark,
ie Turbid; Shichor, a stream of Egypt -- Shihor, Sihor. see HEBREW shachar. ...
/hebrew/7883.htm - 6k

2975. yeor -- stream (of the Nile), stream, canal
... the Nile, as the one river of Egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the
Tigris, as the main river of Assyria -- brook, flood, river, stream. ...
/hebrew/2975.htm - 6k

Library

The River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
... Isaiah 27:12, "unto the stream of Egypt." "Unto Rhinocorura." Of which place and
name, derived from the 'cutting of nostrils,' see Diodorus Siculus, lib.1. [60 ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 8 the river of.htm

Sin: Its Spring-Head, Stream, and Sea
... Sin is a stream of this sort. ... I notice, that want of understanding lies at the
fountain-head of sin: "Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt." Out of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/sin its spring-head stream and.htm

Egypt.
... Moses was then sent to Egypt to lead out the Israelites on their way back ... gods; since
their river, the glory of their land, became a loathsome stream of blood ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iii egypt.htm

Egypt and Greece.
... Egypt was the annual rising of the Nile. About midsummer, the peasantry who lived
along the banks would find the river gradually beginning to rise. The stream ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

Psalm 105 Abridged God's Conduct of Israel, and the Plagues of ...
... Like an o'erwhelming flood; He turned each lake and every stream. To lakes and streams
of blood. ... Then by an angel's midnight stroke. The flower of Egypt died; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 105 abridged gods conduct.htm

Psalm 105. Abridged. God's Conduct of Israel, and the Plagues of ...
... came Like an o'erwhelming flood; He turn'd each lake and every stream To lakes ... 13
Then by an angel's midnight stroke, The flower of Egypt dy'd; The strength of ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 105 abridged gods conduct.htm

Naaman the Syrian and the Jordan. No Other Stream Has the Same ...
... No Other Stream Has the Same Healing Power. ... they were unable to stand, "and wept."
And Jeremiah rebukes those who wish to drink the waters of Egypt, and desert ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/28 naaman the syrian and.htm

The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
... When they were ready to learn the larger lessons in the stream of life, Egypt and
the great empires of the Tigris and Euphrates valley contended for them ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/iv the place of the.htm

The River of Egypt and Its Dragon, Contrasted with the Jordan.
... who come to wash themselves in Him put away the reproach of Egypt, and become ... the
Holy Spirit, since the spiritual dove does not light on any other stream. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/29 the river of egypt.htm

The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt
... (On their flight into Egypt they had ... All was now green here, and the stream from
the spring encircled a garden, surrounded on all four sides (except for the ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvii the return of the.htm

Resources
What does Israel mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Recovery Version of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Peniel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Stream: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Stream
Top of Page
Top of Page