The Hebrew _pi_ answers to the modern Arabic word _fum_,
signifying mouth;” and is generally applied to the passes in the
mountains. In the English and Septuagint versions, Hahiroth is taken as
a proper name; and the whole word would imply the mouth or pass of
Hahiroth or Hiroth, whatever particular origin or signification may
belong to that word. The name, however, sufficiently explains the
situation of the children of Israel; who were hemmed in at this place,
between the sea in front, and a narrow mountain pass behind; which no
doubt encouraged Pharaoh to make his attack upon them in so
disadvantageous a position; thinking that they must inevitably fall an
easy prey into his hands, or be cut to pieces: when their deliverance,
and his own destruction, were unexpectedly wrought by the parting of the
waters of the sea. The place where this miracle is supposed to have
happened, is still called Bahral-Kolsum, or the Sea of Destruction; and
just opposite to the situation which answers to the opening called
Pi-hahiroth, is a bay, where the north cape is called Ras Musa, or the
Cape of Moses. That part of the western or Heroopolitan branch of the
Red Sea where, from these coincidences, the passage most probably took
place, is described by Bruce as about three leagues over, with fourteen
fathoms of water in the channel, nine at the sides, and good anchorage
every where. The farther side is also represented as a low sandy coast,
and an easy landing place. See RED SEA.
signifying mouth;” and is generally applied to the passes in the
mountains. In the English and Septuagint versions, Hahiroth is taken as
a proper name; and the whole word would imply the mouth or pass of
Hahiroth or Hiroth, whatever particular origin or signification may
belong to that word. The name, however, sufficiently explains the
situation of the children of Israel; who were hemmed in at this place,
between the sea in front, and a narrow mountain pass behind; which no
doubt encouraged Pharaoh to make his attack upon them in so
disadvantageous a position; thinking that they must inevitably fall an
easy prey into his hands, or be cut to pieces: when their deliverance,
and his own destruction, were unexpectedly wrought by the parting of the
waters of the sea. The place where this miracle is supposed to have
happened, is still called Bahral-Kolsum, or the Sea of Destruction; and
just opposite to the situation which answers to the opening called
Pi-hahiroth, is a bay, where the north cape is called Ras Musa, or the
Cape of Moses. That part of the western or Heroopolitan branch of the
Red Sea where, from these coincidences, the passage most probably took
place, is described by Bruce as about three leagues over, with fourteen
fathoms of water in the channel, nine at the sides, and good anchorage
every where. The farther side is also represented as a low sandy coast,
and an easy landing place. See RED SEA.