Marah
Marah is a body of water mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Sinai in modern-day Egypt. Known today as Ain Hawarah. It appears across 5 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Marah, meaning "bitter" in Hebrew, was the first place the Israelites encountered after crossing the Red Sea during the Exodus. After three days of traveling through the Wilderness of Shur without finding water, the people arrived at Marah only to discover its waters were too bitter to drink (Exodus 15:22-23). The people grumbled against Moses, and God responded by showing him a piece of wood which, when thrown into the water, made it sweet and drinkable (Exodus 15:25). This miracle became a defining moment in Israel's wilderness journey, establishing a pattern of testing and divine provision. At Marah, God made a statute and ordinance for the people, declaring Himself as "the LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15:26). The site is also mentioned in the wilderness itinerary of Numbers 33:8-9, where it appears as a stopping point between Etham and Elim. Marah thus served as an early lesson in faith and obedience for the newly liberated nation.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Marah is traditionally identified with Ain Hawarah (also spelled Ein Hawarah), a spring located along the western coast of the Sinai Peninsula, approximately 75 kilometers south of Suez. The spring water at this site is indeed brackish and unpleasant to taste, consistent with the biblical narrative. Some scholars have alternatively proposed Ain Naba as the location. The surrounding terrain is arid desert with sparse vegetation, matching the biblical description of the Wilderness of Shur. No systematic excavations have been conducted at the site specifically to confirm the biblical account. The region remains sparsely inhabited by Bedouin communities, and the spring continues to produce mineral-laden water.
Verse Appearances (5)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →