The Exodus Route
Named sites from the exodus found in Jordan
Wadi Rum in Jordan is amid the wilderness of Paran. Situated east of Jebel Umm ad-Dami, Jordan’s highest peak at 1,854 meters or 6,083 feet, we find Mount Paran, referred to in the Bible as HaR-Ph’ER@N, or ‘Mount of Boasting’. It is here that the biblical narrative tells us the people journeyed into what is now Jordan, establishing a camp at Hazeroth (Hk@TsaR-uWT or ‘Hamlets’) which is near the current border with Saudi Arabia. This northern encampment is found on the easternmost side of Wadi Salaada, the southernmost Wadi of the Rum region. According to biblical records, it is at this point that a seven-day waiting period occurred for Miriam to cleanse herself from leprosy.
Here is a video showing the hike up to the top of Mount Paran by a local Wadi Rum tour camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQIeqj07uRo
The journey then led the people westward into Wadi Saabit, through the wilderness of Paran, and beyond the hills of the Jebel Nougra area. The next encampment was established at Rithmah (ReTaM-aH or ‘Broom tree -place’), a corner area that forms a passageway north into the main parallel routes through Jebel al-Farah and into Wadi Rum.
Tophel (T-Ph@L or ‘You Separated/made Distinction’) became a favored recreation spot located south and east of the Rum Village. Here, the people reveled in the locale’s fine soft sand, spreading out and taking a respite from their journey, while Moses continued to relay and document teachings that would later be recorded in Deuteronomy.
Not far away is Rimmon Parez (RiMaN Ph@ReTz or ‘a Pomegranate Burst’), a small area nestled within the fissure of Wadi Um-Hassa, opposite Rum Village in Jebel Rum (er-Rummar). This spot, marked by the reddest sand between Jebels Marsad and Qattar along Wadi Rumman, takes its name from this biblical reference.
The journey narrative tells us that at a well situated at the corner of this area, Moses gathered the twelve scouts. Leading them through the zig-zag passage west and north across Al-Khalidi and Al-Qwairah, Moses provided them with instructions. From a vantage point atop the area, he pointed out Kadesh, then dispatched them on a direct path down to Rahmah. This route took them across the Arabah, setting them on a mission to reconnoiter the land for the next 40 days.
The biblical journey picks up as the people travel north from Wadi Rumman to establish a camp at Libnah, formerly referred to as Laban (LuB@N-aH or ‘White-place’). This name reflects the distinctive white sand spanning from As-Salihiyah to Umm Ghazah, a clear contrast to the preceding red sand and the yellow sand that lies ahead. The journey then continues along the eastern side of the plain parallel to the modern desert highway, specifically along Taur el-Arfa in Qayria, where they make their camp within Rissah. This location is renowned for its uniquely eroding mountains that give the impression of ‘melting away’.
As the people progress further into the narrowing of Wadi al-Wayziyah, situated in the northeast corner of this wilderness, they establish their next encampment at Kehelathah (QoH@LeT-aH or ‘Congregating-place’). It is here that Moses, amidst a recess near Jebel al-Jill, known as Kadesh (QoDeSh or ‘Special’), erected the Tabernacle for the longest period during their transit. This strategic spot becomes a waiting ground for the return of the twelve scouts from the southwest. Upon their arrival, the congregation finds itself at odds, contending with the varying accounts the scouts bring back from their reconnaissance.
From there toward the outstanding central mount Shapher (ShiPheR ‘Bright’) the main gypsum source, it is a southward extension into the Hisma of the high plateau that the Desert highway today ascends northward through going up Ras en-Naqb to Ma’an. They encamped its east west pass connecting Asaliyeh and Dabbet Hanoot, and during this journey toward al-Mraighah across the upper wilderness of Paran the people plotted returning to Egypt and thereby became the generation rejected… They would in the next 40 years completely die off.
Positioned north of Humayma, Haradah (meaning ‘Dreadful-place’) in Abbasiya offers a scenic overlook of the Rift Valley. This is where the ancient Hebrews first glimpsed the southernmost part of the promised land they had been invited to inhabit. This intimidating precipice gave rise to the resurgence of the “Tzitzit,” an old Hebrew cultural identifier, which involves the edge of a garment being fashioned into tassels tied with a Techalet thread. This special dye, derived from mollusks, turns bright blue when exposed to sunlight.
Continuing north, they traversed the canyon, bypassing its descents and practicing mutual restraint. Consequently, at Makheloth (‘From/Out of-Assembling-place’) in Wadi al-Hulwah, they decided to disperse, believing that separation would make their journey easier. An eager group of repentant individuals, who deemed themselves ready to ascend and claim the land, pressed on ahead, ascending Jebel al-Thughrah to present their collective appeal.
Tahath (‘Underneath’) was a strategic point for regrouping. Here, the Hebrews encountered an area of convergence for several channels from the high plains before they descended into the passed canyon. Opposite the location where the Tabernacle was erected, the Korah rebellion occurred. West of this location, along a fault zone (visible due to its impact on the watercourse), 250 of the previous priesthood were swallowed up by the earth, and a subsequent plague reportedly claimed 14,700 lives.
Upon entering the Thaghrah valley of ancient El Paran, the Hebrews reached Tarah (‘Tarrying’). This location provided the last chance to look back over their journey and recognize their progress. Here, those who had prematurely gone to war and returned humiliated by the locals awaited the others’ arrival.
Moving along, they arrived at Mithcah (‘Relishing-place’) nestled in a valley surrounded by rugged mountains. This location, with its many retreats, appeared to be a safe place for repose. It was here that Aaron’s rod budded, and the tabernacle service became increasingly important to the people.
They next reached Hashmonah (‘Fertility-place’), located at a point where two paths diverged around a vesica-shaped rise before converging on the opposite side. The area is fertile due to trapped runoff and its protection from wind, and shaded location which helps trap dew.
Onward to Moseroth (‘From-Departures /Extend-Chastenings’), they continued north out of the valley, ignoring a right turn to the next valley.
Moseroth (Mu-S@R-uWT ‘From-Departures /Extend-Chastenings’) is arrived upon by continuing north on exit of the valley disregarding a right turn to the next valley going up to the north-east, because one naturally sees that way as going back the wrong direction –as valleys before. Proceeding onward into modern “Masudah” (theJudean r and t read Nabatean as d and h) until going on proves too complicated and yet looking- finds a pool of water the reward for going this way. At this point returning is necessary -and taking another way to justify the extention is preferable.
The most direct way (diagonal) to the earlier noted valley cuts the corner by crossing inside those hills lining the valley north ridge, going around to the south of an area inhabited by people scripture names as the Bene-Jaakan (B@NiY YaAQoN ‘Sons- Curiously Elusive’), a people apparently descended from Akan (Ge.36:27) a son of Ezer, a son of Seir (1Ch.1:42). The path through passes their well to going out two ways –one directly out to the valley toward an adjacent large cavern named Hor-Hagidgad (‘Cave of- The Troop-a Troop’ (regrouping)’ –another by going on crosses over the ridge further up the valley, a place now called Dilaghah.
Venturing up this valley, the modern roadway merges with the King’s Highway just before reaching Jotbathah (Yi-ThiBeT-aH, meaning ‘It–a place- of Good Report’). This area is currently occupied by Al-Rajif, Tharwah, Mdairej, and “Al-Taybeh,” which has preserved the area’s original name. Evidence of their journey across flat terrains and long, straight rock outcroppings can still be seen just below the present-day highway, streets, roads, and paths. These traces continue until they descend below Beyt al-Taybeh into Wadi Tibn, known as Ebronah (aABeRuN-aH, ‘Crossings place’), which also includes an alternative route known as the “Bedouin-shortcut.”
Ezion-Gaber (aATziY-uWN G@BeR ‘Backbone of a Mighty-one’) is the descriptive term for the entire “edomite escarpment” range of mountains along the Arabah from the Red Sea Gulf of Aqaba and Eilat unto the Dead Sea, this also names the longest straitest valley running parallel to it called Wadi-Raql which intersects Wadi Tibn ascending directly into Wadi Musa.
The “wilderness of Zin” (TziN ‘Conformity’, a Thistle -for drying shaped as moist) names high plain deserts with this- on both sides of the Arabah (the upper Negev and the Maan plateau). The plant appears threatening but is harmless, it abounds north from Um-Sayhoun, and from upper Wadi Musa eastward. Here just beyond the city upper gate amid the King’s Highway north-south valley and atop the east ridgeline, the tabernacle was erected for 38 years naming the area (QoDeSh ‘Special’) Kadesh Barnea (B-ReNaA ‘In-Reverberating/Resonnance’). Directly down from it across the highway in that arroyo is Meribah (M-RiYB-aH ‘From- Contention-place’) the origin of the waters behind “Ain-Musa” naming the city.
Mount Hor (HaR Ha-HaR ‘Mount of The Mount’) long associated with Jebel Haroun is in fact right beside that at the double-mountain Jebel Umm al-Biyara (el-Beirah) named for its cistern and system of channels for water collection. This mountain was for 30-days surrounded by mourners crowding its brooks (Ain-Amoon) that were named Moserah (MuS@R-aH ‘Bond -place’) being where the transfer of prieshood from Aaron to Eleasar and the Levites was witnessed. Aaron died on this mountain after 40-years had passed since emergence from Egypt, thereafter the next generation readied for vanquishing the Amorites and taking over Canaan.
Atharim (‘ETaR-iYM ‘Trackways’) is the well-worn paths of Wadi Sabra which descends to the Arabah, this main route they went brought them down to the area where copper mining agriculturalists presided over by a residing Canaanite king Arad (not to be confused with a later fortified earlier temple) intercepted them, killing and capturing some. This provoked the peoples first battle exterminating the whole area (their widespread ruins consist of a mining area up north with a fortification aside its entrance westward, and a ruined temple area over to the east having many small residencial villages dispersed on mountaintops) unto declaring it Hormah (HkaR@M-aH ‘Devoted-place’). Today Khorma is the southeast adjascent rough lowland area under Rajif where some ruins are (below the “rivers of water”).
Zalmonah (Tz@L-MuNaH ‘Shaded-Portions’) names the passageway and path which they took out along the Arabah going around the habitations of the Edomites (having been denied passing through their territory to the original Kings Highway) being across areas where darker soiled ground proves more firm and passable, for crossing these patches as much as possible they held near the mountains as they went north unto Punon (Phe-uWN-uN ‘Bewildered-ness-es’) modern Feynan. This copper mining area from the Early Bronze age precedes the problem with snakes (still an area ordeal) and Moses fastening a bronze winged-serpent upon a pole for upholding- as a signifier that continuance prevails.
From that lowest desert open area nearest the Dead Sea closing the northward mountainside pathways, ascent through Wadi Dana up to the high plateau makes here the most difficult part of the entire route this generation went –in it Moses prays for the people as he had only once before with the previous generation at their most difficult passage (across the open Saudi desert Taberah Nu.11). Again water had to be conservatively carried, but here as large pottery jars were a hard burden with apportioning difficult, skin-bottles called Oboth (E’B@T ‘Sourced out’) proved to be key as they aided personal cooling while softly conforming to the awkward movements which progress required. This came to name the encampment on cresting this challenge, maybe because water skins stood the test and hard jars didn’t make it to this point.
Continuing north along the edge of the plain as the modern King’s highway does, the place which they encamped next is called Ije-Abarim (I’im) (aAYiY Ha-aABeRiYM ‘Rockpiles of The-Crossings’) it is now the east side of modern Tafilah –the only location on the whole of the exodus route where a city exists today.
Zared (Z@ReD ‘thick Overgrowth’) is the south to northeast descending stream valley Wadi al-Ahsy opposite Tafilah and the modern King’s Highway which after Abu-Albanna goes directly across the canyon and over the other side to go through the middle of then Moab where they were forbidden. The people after encampment in the valley beneath this descent had to turn right in Wadi Hasa going eastward to ascend the north side at a place 5 km further, that easiest ascent passage there put them out onto the plain south of the hills on a northeast path which leads directly to the modern Desert Highway where turning due north from the spring of the brook (Wadi Abyadh) the path takes them along the heads of all the brooks that go down to Ar (aAR ‘Watcher /Exposer’). They went in the valley just east with the old Hijra railroad north until Beer-ah (Be’ER-aH ‘a Well -place’) at Qasr al-Qatraneh where the water hole opened by them has since become a lake and its overflows have long eroded a terminal wadi southeastward.
Going roundabout unto resuming northward along Jebel Subeban as far as possible arrived to where turning inward (else going out of the way –as the highway does) was required, naming that camp Waheb in Suphah -once Suph (WuHaB B’SuPh-aH ‘of Offered freely an End-place/ Termination’). There ascending the obvious passage through the ridge westward (as a roadway now does) began negotiation of that varied terrain unto crossing the Arnon (E’ReN-uWN ‘Rushing-ness’).
The first encampment nearly due west amid Qasr al-Khadem is called Mattanah ‘Given as appeasement (to present a bribe)’ it’s the place which direct passage easiest availed. After there the way became uncertain but a scout on the heights found a spring and saw the ideal strait path through Qasr el-Al from it, so calling out Nahaliel (NuHk@LiY-E’L ‘My Brook is Toward /of God’) naming that encampment. That wide northwest valley with its central wadi amid others narrows down aside Ar and they camped upon that flat above the winding descent unto the fields of Moab which are broad terraces having oversight from higher places (elevated settings) in cliffs above- which meant they had to be very careful not to trespass or allow the livestock to transgress them, and once past those across the Arnon finds two ways.
One rightward steeply going up on the east side to the wilderness of Kedemoth (QoD@MuWT ‘Eastern parts’) where Moses having known that from there they were to begin taking back this land unto the river Jabbok of Ammon, detached messengers northward toward Abarim -arriving at Heshbon to Sihon king of the Amorites. The other way leftward goes into the directly opposite long ascent onto the plain having a series of broad upper platforms for encampment upon –thus the place before and these afterward being associated gave one title Bamoth (BeMuWT ‘Heights /Upper seats’) to both encampments.
On the plain between Jumayel and Al-Mushayrifah the people continued eastward to a place called Dibon(-Gad), later naming two cities– this one in the south of Reuben and another further north in the south of Gad after these tribes requested their inheritance, meaning (DiYBuN) ‘Languishment’ (-of GaD ‘a Troop’) in both places -this before and that after- being the “stay on hold” for the military as this name is descriptive of their experience. This location is to the northeast of the modern city Dhiban (Thiban) just a mile beyond the eastern ancient city ruins (where the Moabite stone was found) at a 2,000’ circular field hill lined by valleys (al-Theebah; Adh Dhuhaybah /Edh Dhuheiba -El Deheibe). This detail alone reveals the size of the fighting force as it was their readying place. The valleys go out north from its sizeable 2400’ elevation platform, behind which only the south is open descending toward the Dead Sea and down to Moab. If they had to flee this would draw away any fighting opposite the range northward being a partition for the people still getting passage through to the land.
The people were then brought to that area and settled for being kept there at the place called (later Beth-) Almon-Diblathaim (ah) (aALaMuWN-DiBLeT-iYM ‘Hiddeness(place)of Fruitcakes’) a name which likewise describes their state. This location is the area of Al-Ash’al/Libb and Duleilat al-Hamaydah (nearby ruins are Iskandar) halfway to the crossings at Abarim at a spot which gives two ways to flee assuring a remnant by dividing and dispersing along two broad areas having abundant hiding potencial and the waters of Wadi Zarqa Ma’in.
Having placed them there Moses returns and draws out the force moving them northeast into the high ground ready for entering the narrow plain just south of the International Airport (which has its share of ruins – called an “anomaly”).
The ruins of Tall Hisbon
The messengers may not have returned, but the Amorite king Sihon and his people came from the central plain to the area called Jahaz (spelled Jahzah Jahaza and Jahazah) YeHaTz(aH) ‘Treading, Trodden down, Trampled -also Threshed (place). This name has other meaning in Amorite –a ship isolated amid calm waters (stagnant or floundering) that well describes the scene of these hills and valleys with plains. The path of destruction shows the warfare thrust northward to Zainab and split up toward Um Alwalid & Um Qosair and toward the Airport and past then a wide turning counterclockwise encircled the plain between Um-Albasatean and Masoh unto convergence upon Heshbon (between Tall Hisban and Tall al-‘Umayri). They then went down the west edge southward for escorting the people out to proceed along today’s “King’s Highway” and took the center ending within Nophah (NuPhaHk ‘Upraised’ –Tall Jalul and Khirbat al-Mudayna in Wadi eth-Thamad) and in unto Tall Madaba (MeiY-D@B’E ‘Water Fully’), lastly they went further up into the north to assure no direct recourse upon the people below Wadi al-Shita by securing Jaazer (once Jazer ‘Y-aAZi(Y)R ‘It/He Fortified’) -Ain Hazir in Es-Salt and the whole Balqa (Balak; BeLoQ ‘Empty’) unto the Jabbok (YiBoQ ‘Flowing’) which they were charged not to trespass.
Then all gathered to Abarim (aABeRiYM ‘Crossings’) the two descents one Nebo (His View/ NeBuW ‘Literacy’)-Peor (Phe’EuWR ‘Mouth-Lightening/ to Gape) unto due-east from Jericho (Yi-RiYHk-uW ‘It His-Fragrance), the other one Pisgah (PheS@G-aH ‘Summit /Peak-place) unto near the Dead Sea in the low plain of Moab (Mu’EiB ‘From Source/Father’), and another campaign initiated that went out east counterclockwise around Ammon and Gilead outside the Jabbok called the way of Bashan (Ha-BeShuN ‘The Fruitfulness’) up to Argob (Ei’RiG@B ‘I- heap/ clod’).
Awaiting their securing homes in Gilead (GiLaAD ‘Rough region’) and the Golan (GuWL@N ‘Circling’) on their return sweep, their families stayed at the place below Pisgah called Beth Jeshimoth (BeYT Ha-YeSh@MuWT ‘House of The-Isolates’) at Ramah beside the Dead Sea.
Eradication of the northern Amorites began upon crossing the river Yarmouk at Edrei (EDRaA-iY ‘My-Strong Arm’) –these several fortifications 8 km northeast of Daraa along the Wadi adh-Dhahab where Og the Amorite king and last of the Rephaim (RePh’E-iYM ‘Downward-s’) giants came from his palace at Ashtaroth (aAShTaRuWT ‘Wives’) 11k NW between Alshaary and Adawan- to resist Israel whose destruction spread east to Salchah / Salcah (S@LeKaH ‘Wandering’) -Zalchat/ Salkhad 12 km east of modern Bosra and moved northward all the way to Mount Hermon (HkaR@M-uWN ‘Restricted-ness’) the witness of remaining stone ruins and burnt earthworks in the Argob easily accounts for the reported number of 60 Cities (aAiYR-iYM ‘Enclosures /Walled places’). There the retaking of these lands by extermination of Amorites turned inward to the Golan and continued throughout Gilead unto the Jabbok. The tribe Gad then requested it as inheritance, and Reuben then asked to inherit the south to the Arnon. They began at Dibon making Aroer, Jahaz, Kerioth and Mephath (Umm ar-Rasas) their circle of cities.
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