Parting of the Red Sea 'may have happened'

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A recent computer modeling study suggests that the biblical account of the parting of the Red Sea may have been influenced by natural phenomena, specifically powerful winds that could have temporarily dried out marshy areas in the Nile Delta, rather than being a miraculous event. The discussion highlights the possibility of a mistranslation of "Red Sea" to "Reed Sea," which some believe could align with this natural explanation. Participants express skepticism about the feasibility of wind creating large walls of water as depicted in films, while acknowledging that nature can produce surprising effects, such as droughts or tsunamis. The conversation also touches on the lack of concrete evidence for the event, suggesting that it may be more of a moralistic tale than a historical fact. Ultimately, the thread emphasizes the need for critical examination of historical claims and the distinction between faith and factual evidence.
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-st...he-red-sea-may-have-happened-115875-22577691/

I'm not linking this as some evidence or support for religious claims in the bible, far from it. I'm actually more interested in the fact such a thing could happen:
But the event described in the Book of Exodus was probably more due to freak weather conditions than the hand of Jehovah.

A new computer modelling study suggests a powerful wind could have divided the waters just as depicted in the biblical story that has mystified scholars and inspired Hollywood film epics.

The likely location of the "miracle" was not the Red Sea as such, but a nearby spot in the Nile Delta region.

Nature never fails to surprise me in its awesome power.

Anyone else heard anything about this? What do you think of such a prediction / suggestion?
 
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I've heard that it was a mistranslation. Not the "Red Sea, but the "Reed Sea." I have no doubt that the wind could have done something like temporarily dried out a marsh. I would seriously doubt a computer model that suggested wind could have supported large walls of water as in "Hollywood film epics," though.
 
Jack21222 said:
I've heard that it was a mistranslation. Not the "Red Sea, but the "Reed Sea." I have no doubt that the wind could have done something like temporarily dried out a marsh. I would seriously doubt a computer model that suggested wind could have supported large walls of water as in "Hollywood film epics," though.
Yeah, I can see a storm clearing a marsh.
 
Jack21222 said:
I've heard that it was a mistranslation. Not the "Red Sea, but the "Reed Sea." I have no doubt that the wind could have done something like temporarily dried out a marsh. I would seriously doubt a computer model that suggested wind could have supported large walls of water as in "Hollywood film epics," though.

Of course Red and Reed are nearly identical words in Hebrew, right?

Also, I don't think the basis for biblical claims were Hollywood epics.
 
red -> אדום
קומוניסט

adjective
אדום
מסומק

reed -> קנה

סוף
קנה סוף
לשונית
גמי
אבוב
אבה
אגמון
 
Ivan Seeking said:
Of course Red and Reed are nearly identical words in Hebrew, right?

Don't look at me, I've actually heard a biblical literalist make this argument. This has not-safe-for-work language, but here's a video of such a person making this claim.



Starts at 5:20 in the above video.

Also, I don't think the basis for biblical claims were Hollywood epics.

I was just using words used in the link.
 
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its sea of 'Suph'.
 
jarednjames said:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-st...he-red-sea-may-have-happened-115875-22577691/

I'm not linking this as some evidence or support for religious claims in the bible, far from it. I'm actually more interested in the fact such a thing could happen:


Nature never fails to surprise me in its awesome power.

Anyone else heard anything about this? What do you think of such a prediction / suggestion?

I believe the Biblical account specifically states that a strong wind was responsible although it probably didn't look like it did in the Ten Commandments movie.
 
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Hebrew:
jyw 05186 stretch out 60, incline 28 ...
hsm 04872 Moses 766
ta 0853 not translated
wdy 03027 hand 1359, by 44 ...
le 05921 upon, in ...
Myh 03220 sea 321, west 47 ...
Klwyw 01980 go 217, walk 156 ...
hwhy 03068 LORD 6510, GOD 4 ...
ta 0853 not translated
Myh 03220 sea 321, west 47 ...
xwrb 07307 Spirit or spirit 232, wind 92 ...
Mydq 06921 east 50, east wind 10 ... (from 'before' 'fore part')
hze 05794 strong 12, fierce 4 ...
lk 03605 every thing, all ...
hlylh 03915 night 205, nights 15 ...
Mvyw 07760 put 155, make 123 ...
ta 0853 not translated
Myh 03220 sea 321, west 47 ...
hbrxl 02724 dry land 4, dry ground 3 ...
weqbyw 01234 cleave 10, ...up 9 ...
Mymh 04325 water 571, piss 2 ...

7307 (ruwach):
wind 91, spirit 91, Spirit 34, breath 30, winds 11, mind 6, temper 5, spirits 4, side 4, strength 4, life 4, windstorm 3, breathe

remember the hebrew words are written right to left.
 
  • #10
We know that nature can do these type/sort of things, for example in Earthquake zones, Tsunamis can create a drag back effect of the sea making it look like the sea is empty, however this does not occur by the water parting.

Drought might be another fundamental explanation for the story in the bible if it is indeed based on a observation and not a crackpot mind story.

The only other way of the affect of a meteorite could effective part the waters, but then again I'm not sure I'd want to cross water when a meterorite was crossing overhead.. indeed I'm not sure I'd survive to tell the story!

As for wind, even the strongest wind would be unlikely to cause this

The only option we're left with is that that particular story in the bible, was not based on an actual observation, but instead an imaginary moralistic view of the world.
 
  • #11
Even if you believe that it is a "reed sea" or a large body of water, what makes this a miracle is that this event happened at a certain time and place.
 
  • #12
rhmiddl said:
Even if you believe that it is a "reed sea" or a large body of water, what makes this a miracle is that this event happened at a certain time and place.
There is no proof that this even happened.
 
  • #13
Do you believe that Aristotle lived? There is also no absolute proof that he lived either. Other than the testimonies and writings of others. Yet there seems to be even more testimonial and written documentation that the Red Sea crossing happened than whether or not Aristotle actually lived.

Regarding past events, all of us exercise faith in some way or another. It all depends on what sources we put our faith in.
 
  • #14
rhmiddl said:
Regarding past events, all of us exercise faith in some way or another. It all depends on what sources we put our faith in.
We just need to make sure we don't claim things written about in history, especially when they get fanciful, as absolute truth or as miracles when there are little or no facts to corroborate it.
 
  • #15
Of course a little water will eventually sprout life! That of course can't be denied or doubted-can it?
 
  • #16
Radrook said:
Of course a little water will eventually sprout life! That of course can't be denied or doubted-can it?

I quite literally have no idea what you are trying to say. Could you clarify please?
 

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