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ARABAH

(Heb. ʿărāḇâ)

A term translated in some contexts as “desert,” “plain,” or “wilderness.” Its meanings are derived from a specific place known as “the Arabah,” distinguished from general contexts by the presence of the definite article (Josh. 11:16), which included three major regions within the Great Rift Valley. First is the Jordan Valley, which descends southward along the Jordan River from the southern end of the Sea of Chinnereth to the Dead Sea below sea level (Deut. 3:17). In reference to this area, the term is translated “plains,” as in “the plains of Jericho” (Josh. 4:13) and opposite them “the plains of Moab” (Num. 33:49). The second region includes the Dead Sea and its surrounding lowlands. The third stretch southward ascends at first rapidly from the Dead Sea and then descends very gradually to sea level at the Gulf of Elath. Mention of this third region is associated with the “Arabah road,” which refers to various roads running along north-south lines up from Ezion-Geber (2 Sam. 4:7). As a land formation, the Arabah created a distinct border between the land of Israel and its enemies to the east, Ammon, Moab, and Edom.

Particular characteristics typify the ecology and climate of each of these three divisions of the Arabah. Although rainfall is essentially consistent for each, the Jordan Valley is the most lush along the river and particularly at its southern end, where springs abound on the plains of Jericho. In stark contrast, a desert climate characterizes the region from the Dead Sea south. Its variations both in geography and climate probably contributed to its association with and occasional translation as “jungle” or “thicket” (Jer. 49:19), “desert” (Isa. 35:6), and “plain” (2 Kgs. 25:4-5). As a diverse landscape, it would have provided excellent places for refuge, as in the case of David’s flight from Saul into the wilderness of Maon (1 Sam. 23:24) and Zedekiah’s attempt to escape the Chaldeans (Jer. 39:4).

Aaron A. Burke

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ARABAH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)