This sea was also called by the Hebrews Yam-mitstraim, i.e., “the
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.).
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 (Exodus 14, 15; Numbers 33:8;
Deuteronomy 11:4; Joshua 2:10; Judges 11:16; 2 Samuel 22:16; Nehemiah
9:9-11; Psalm 66:6; Isaiah 10:26; Acts 7:36, etc.).
- RED SEA, PASSAGE OF The account of the march of the Israelites
through the Red Sea is given in Exodus 14:22-31. There has been great
diversity of opinion as to the precise place where this occurred. The
difficulty of arriving at any definite conclusion on the matter is much
increased by the consideration that the head of the Gulf of Suez, which
was the branch of the sea that was crossed, must have extended at the time
of the Exodus probably 50 miles farther north than it does at present.
Some have argued that the crossing took place opposite the Wady
Tawarik, where the sea is at present some 7 miles broad. But the opinion
that seems to be best supported is that which points to the neighbourhood
of Suez. This position perfectly satisfies all the conditions of the
stupendous miracle as recorded in the sacred narrative. (See EXODUS.) - REED (1.) “Paper reeds” (Isaiah 19:7; R.V., “reeds”). Hebrews ‘aroth,
properly green herbage growing in marshy places.
(2.) Hebrews kaneh (1 Kings 14:15; Job 40:21; Isaiah 19:6), whence the
Gr. kanna, a “cane,” a generic name for a reed of any kind.
The reed of Egypt and Palestine is the Arundo donax, which grows to the
height of 12 feet, its stalk jointed like the bamboo, “with a magnificent
panicle of blossom at the top, and so slender and yielding that it will lie
perfectly flat under a gust of wind, and immediately resume its upright
position.” It is used to illustrate weakness (2 Kings 18:21; Ezekiel 29:6),
also fickleness or instability (Matthew 11:7; comp. Ephesians 4:14).
A “bruised reed” (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20) is an emblem of a believer
weak in grace. A reed was put into our Lord’s hands in derision (Matthew
27:29); and “they took the reed and smote him on the head” (30). The
“reed” on which they put the sponge filled with vinegar (Matthew 27:48)
was, according to John (19:29), a hyssop stalk, which must have been of