Rissah
Rissah is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Negev in modern-day Israel. Known today as Sharma. It appears across 2 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Rissah appears in the biblical record solely within the wilderness itinerary of Numbers 33:21-22, listed as a stopping place for the Israelites during their forty years of wandering between Egypt and the Promised Land. The people of Israel encamped at Rissah after departing from Libnah and before journeying on to Kehelathah. Though no narrative events are recorded at this location, its inclusion in the carefully preserved travel log reflects the theological conviction that every stage of Israel's wilderness journey was directed by God. The pillar of cloud by day and fire by night determined when the camp moved and where it settled (Numbers 9:15-23). The name Rissah may derive from a Hebrew root meaning "dew" or "moisture," possibly indicating a location where water or morning dew was present in the otherwise arid landscape. Each of these wilderness stations testifies to God's sustaining providence, as He faithfully led His covenant people through decades of desert wandering toward the fulfillment of His promises.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The identification of Rissah remains speculative, as with most stations in the Numbers 33 wilderness itinerary. Some scholars have tentatively connected it with Sharma or other locations in the central Negev, along potential routes between Sinai and Kadesh-barnea. The possible etymology related to moisture or dew suggests a site where some water was available, perhaps a wadi with seasonal flow. The Negev region contains numerous ancient campsites that are difficult to associate with specific biblical names due to the ephemeral nature of nomadic encampments. No confirmed archaeological evidence has been linked to Rissah. Research continues to rely on topographical analysis and the logical sequence of camps.
Verse Appearances (2)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- OpenBible.info (n.d.) Bible Geocoding. Available at: https://www.openbible.info/geo/. [CC BY 4.0]
- Bagnall, R. et al. (eds.) (n.d.) Pleiades: A Gazetteer of Past Places. Available at: https://pleiades.stoa.org. [CC BY 3.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Lawrence, D. et al. (2025) Villages to Empires: a settlement dataset for the Southern Levant. doi:10.5281/zenodo.15111732. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]