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Suph in the Bible

These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel and Laban and Hazeroth and Dizahab. —Deuteronomy 1:1

This place appears in the above verse. Some identify it with Suphah (Numbers 21:14, marginal note, King James Version) as probably the name of a place.

Others identify it with es-Sufah = Maaleh-acrabbim (Joshua 15:3), and others with Zuph (1 Samuel 9:5).

It is most probable, however, that, in accordance with the ancient versions, this word should be regarded as simply an abbreviation of “Yam suph” which literally means the “Reed Sea” and is certainly the Red Sea which was apparently named by the ancient Greeks.

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Article Version: September 20, 2024