Did the Red Sea Part? No Evidence, Archaeologists Say [NYT celebrates Passover]

NY Times ^ | 4-3-07

[Celtjew Libertarian]

It was a miracle: The sea was “open” for only the amount of time need to cross the “Red Sea” (or “Sea of Reeds” as some would re-write it ...)

That's not a rewrite. "Red Sea" is a translation error. The original Hebrew "yam-suhf" means sea of reeds. "Suhf" is also used earlier to the cradle of bullrushes that the infant Moses was placed in.

[HungarianGypsy]

Maybe it is mentioned later in the thread, but my husband told me about a show on the History Channel. I know you are thinking it is going to be anti-religion. But, they said archaeologists have proven from Egyptian, Greek, and Hebrew records and evidence that the Exodus did happen.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Regarding the Reed Sea, I’ve picked up somewhere along the line that the Isthmus of Suez — the area between the western tip of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean was marshier in times past.

[bmwcyle]

It’s the actual translation The Reed Sea?

[Robert A Cook PE]

It’s a miracle. Why should we “need” a physical excuse/reason/justification from today’s “scholars” who don’t WANT to find miracles?

Proof? Ask Thomas about doubting miracles .. 8<)

[mass55th]

"Even Jim Cameron showed a reasonable scientific explanation for the Parting of the Sea Exodus miracle ... Sheesh!"

I watched his program "Decoding the Exodus" for the second time just recently. It was narrated by the guy called The Naked Archaeologist...Simcha Jacobovici. He's the same one who did the program about the tomb of Jesus. The program on the Exodus was interesting, and gave various "reasons" and "evidence" pertaining to the Exodus, the parting of the sea, Mt. Sinai, and the Ark of the Covenant, etc. While I like Dr. Hawass, I think he should stick to mummies. Hell, they don't even know exactly when the Sphinx was built or who built it, and they want to make judgements on the Exodus?

[Gamecock]

I took up being charitable for lent. <;-)

[Dr._Joseph_Warren]

In defense of Moses-Egyptians may sue Jews over the Exodus.

You guys are really good at making up stories. This one was certainly entertaining, if unlikely.

[SJackson]

yam suph, sea of reeds which could be just that, a marsh, or a body of water actually named The Reed Sea. Mose’s basket was made of suph. I think “red” first entered the picture with the KJV, likely a mistranslation from the Greek, though perhaps from Hebrew to Greek.

[SJackson]

Regarding the Reed Sea, I’ve picked up somewhere along the line that the Isthmus of Suez — the area between the western tip of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean was marshier in times past.

I've read speculation of several locations, that being one of them.

[SJackson]

Maybe it is mentioned later in the thread, but my husband told me about a show on the History Channel. I know you are thinking it is going to be anti-religion. But, they said archaeologists have proven from Egyptian, Greek, and Hebrew records and evidence that the Exodus did happen.

Arabs question everything, but in general questioning the miracle of the parting of the sea is different from questioning the Exodus.

[bmwcyle]

ping

[Sam Ketcham]

"Really, it’s a myth,' Dr. Hawass said of the story of the Exodus, as he stood at the foot of a wall built during what is called the New Kingdom." WOW! A Phd. (earned or bought & in what?) political appointee in a third world country is now an expert in the Bible.

[Hegemony Cricket]

Mebbe the Egyptian army just lay down and let the swamp water seep back in over them? Mass hysteria? Who knows... ;-)

[blam]

"Hell, they don't even know exactly when the Sphinx was built or who built it, and they want to make judgements on the Exodus?"

Redating The Great Sphinx Of Giza
Dr Robert Schoch

"As a geologist, the current evidence taken as a whole suggests to me that the Great Sphinx of Giza is considerably older than its traditional attribution of ca. 2,500 Indeed, I am currently estimating-based on evidence at hand-that the origin of the colossal sculpture can be traced to at least 7000 to 5000 B.C., and perhaps even earlier. Of course, the Sphinx may not have looked like it does today some 8,000 years ago. The original surface details of the body have weathered away in the distant past, and the current head of the figure-which everyone agrees is almost surely the result ot recarving."

[Berosus]

I like Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray, too. A soft drink that’s definitely different.

[Berosus]

In my opinion, no evidence turned up because Zahi and Co. are looking in the wrong time frame. The fort in the article is dated to the New Kingdom, when most believe the Exodus happened. However, you and I believe Moses lived a few centuries earlier, at the end of the XIII dynasty. This is like looking for evidence of the Pilgrims in modern-day Boston. Somebody ought to remind the archaeologists of the Second Intermediate Period stela found at El-Arish, which talks about the pharaoh jumping into a whirlpool.

[madison10]

How the heck are they going to find evidence? What no chariots and horse skeletons?

Maybe:
1. They aren’t even looking in the correct crossing spot.
2. The evidence is buried so deep as to be unfindable
3. Even if the “archeaologists” did find evidence do you think they’d tell anyone?

[Marauder]

Exactly what kind of physical evidence would remain of such an event?

Keep an eye on the History Channel for a presentation called "Exodus Decoded."

[SunkenCiv]

I think that’s the idea — no evidence is wanted anyway. I concur with whomever it was in this thread, regarding the question of what evidence could there possibly be? The chariots of pharaoh, all busted up and buried in mud?