The Road to Sinai
Exod 12–19
From Rameses in Egypt through the sea and the wilderness to Mount Sinai, where Israel receives the Ten Commandments (Exod 12–19).
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The Road to Sinai on map
Exod 12–19
From Rameses in Egypt through the sea and the wilderness to Mount Sinai, where Israel receives the Ten Commandments (Exod 12–19).
Trip stops (9)
1
Rameses
Exod 12:37
After the night of the Passover the Israelites set out from Rameses. The city is probably Pi-Ramesse in the eastern Nile Delta, where the Israelites had worked as slaves (Exod 1:11).
2
Succoth
Exod 12:37-42
The first camp. The people have not had time to let the dough rise and bake unleavened cakes. Often located at Tell el-Maskhuta in the Wadi Tumilat.
3
Etham
Exod 13:17-22
The camp on the edge of the wilderness. God does not lead the people by the short way along the coast, but goes before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The site is unknown.
4
Through the sea
Exod 14
At Pi-hahiroth Pharaoh's army overtakes the people. The sea parts, and the Israelites cross on dry ground. Where it happened is disputed; the marker stands at the Bitter Lakes as one of the suggested places.
5
Marah
Exod 15:22-26
After three days in the wilderness of Shur the people find only bitter water. Moses throws a log into the water, and it becomes sweet. Traditionally located at the spring of Ain Hawara.
6
Elim
Exod 15:27
An oasis with twelve springs and seventy palm trees. Traditionally located in the Wadi Gharandal.
7
Wilderness of Sin
Exod 16
The people grumble about food. God gives quail in the evening and manna in the morning – and a double portion before the Sabbath.
8
Rephidim
Exod 17
Moses strikes the rock, and water comes out. Here Israel fights the Amalekites while Moses stands with his arms raised. Traditionally located in the Wadi Feiran.
9
Mount Sinai
Exod 19–20
In the third month the people camp at the mountain. God makes a covenant with Israel and gives the Ten Commandments. The marker stands at Jebel Musa, where tradition has placed the mountain since the 4th century; other places have also been suggested.
About the trip
The map follows Israel’s journey in Exodus from the departure out of Egypt to the camp at Sinai. Many of the places cannot be located with certainty. Here the traditional route is followed, down the west coast of the Sinai peninsula to Jebel Musa, which since the early church has been regarded as Mount Sinai.