Bitter Water
LocationsGeographical Setting
A wilderness site identified with Marah, where biblical narratives describe the Israelites encountering undrinkable water.
What is the meaning of Bitter Water in the Bible?
Marah, meaning 'bitter,' denotes a location in the Sinai wilderness where the Israelite community halted during their exodus from Egypt and encountered water sources with a saline or mineral content that rendered them undrinkable.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the physical constraints of the Sinai terrain clarifies the logistical difficulties described in the Exodus narrative and contextualizes the textual emphasis on divine provision within a harsh environmental setting.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Bitter Water in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bitter Water clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.