country now known by the name of Arabia. The Arabs call it Yemen. It
lies between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. (2.) Arabia Deserta, the
el-Badieh or “Great Wilderness” of the Arabs. From this name is derived
that which is usually given to the nomadic tribes which wander over this
region, the “Bedaween,” or, more generally, “Bedouin,” (3.) Arabia
Petraea, i.e., the Rocky Arabia, so called from its rocky mountains and
stony plains. It comprehended all the north-west portion of the country,
and is much better known to travellers than any other portion. This
country is, however, divided by modern geographers into (1) Arabia
Proper, or the Arabian Peninsula; (2) Northern Arabia, or the Arabian
Desert; and (3) Western Arabia, which includes the peninsula of Sinai and
the Desert of Petra, originally inhabited by the Horites (Genesis 14:6,
etc.), but in later times by the descendants of Esau, and known as the Land
of Edom or Idumea, also as the Desert of Seir or Mount Seir.
The whole land appears (Genesis 10) to have been inhabited by a variety
of tribes of different lineage, Ishmaelites, Arabians, Idumeans, Horites, and
Edomites; but at length becoming amalgamated, they came to be known by
the general designation of Arabs. The modern nation of Arabs is
predominantly Ishmaelite. Their language is the most developed and the
richest of all the Semitic languages, and is of great value to the student of
Hebrew.
The Israelites wandered for forty years in Arabia. In the days of Solomon,
and subsequently, commercial intercourse was to a considerable extent
kept up with this country (1 Kings 10:15; 2 Chronicles 9:14; 17:11).
Arabians were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:11). Paul retired
for a season into Arabia after his conversion (Galatians 1:17). This country
is frequently referred to by the prophets (Isaiah 21:11; 42:11; Jeremiah
25:24, etc.)
- ARAD (1.) Now Tell Arad, a Canaanite city, about 20 miles south of
Hebron. The king of Arad “fought against Israel and took of them
prisoners” when they were retreating from the confines of Edom (Numbers
21:1; 33:40; Judges 1:16). It was finally subdued by Joshua (12:14).
(2.) One of the sons of Beriah (1 Chronicles 8:15).