Moses at the Red Sea

By Genelle Austin-Lett

Categories: Moses, Old Testament

Question

I've heard people say that Moses didn't part the Red Sea but the Sea of Reeds. Which sea was it?

Answer

Research claims that the translation of "yam suph" in Ex. 14 to "Red Sea" was an error. It should have been "Sea of Reeds". In my estimation it doesn't reduce the significance of the children crossing over on dry ground and Pharaoh's men and their chariots being drowned. The end result was the safety of the Children of Israel. There is some discussion from scholar to scholar about the exact location of the crossing. If you look at the map below from Merrill/Christian's book, Moses and the Law, you will see three possible areas for the Sea of Reeds: two in the North and one below the Bitter Lakes.

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