Listed below are mutliple article and video links from different sources. Note: The full article from 'Medium' is also listed at the end of this episode description due to the "subscription only" status (email/free) to read the full article.
The Daily Mail and Scientific American articles below connect the parting of the Red Sea and brine pools. However, the articles do not make it really clear why there is a nexus between the two. Brine pools are extremely rare and are formed in specific ways. One of the ways brine pools are formed is by evaporation. They typically form in areas where seawater has evaporated, leaving behind concentrated salt deposits.
Think of how a tsunami causes rapid water displacement (receding water) away from the sea floor as it forms. Also, the height of a tsunami water wall can reach up to 100 feet. This is very peculiar as that is how the Bible describes the way God parted the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21-22 "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left."
Here is a video link to TED-Ed where it clearly shows how a tsunami caused problems for another army (Persian Army in 479 BC) trying to cross receding waters on "dry land". The Persian Army met the same demise as Pharaoh's army.
https://youtu.be/Wx9vPv-T51I
Daily Mail link: This article was listed because it references a new discovery of "brine pools" in the Gulf of Aqaba/Red Sea.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14417975/Scientists-make-shocking-discovery-Bible-Moses-parted-Red-Sea.html
Scientific American link: Another article discussing extremely rare brine pools at the Red Sea.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rare-red-sea-brine-pool-holds-secrets-of-past-natural-disasters/
Medium article link: A non-Christian source confirming the 2024 discovery of Pharaoh's army in the Gulf of Aqaba/Red Sea.
https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/scientists-finally-found-evidence-for-mosess-red-sea-crossing-6ea440178d42
Eastwind Journals link: This Christian source was listed because of it referencing the same discoveries back in 2021.
https://eastwindjournals.com/2021/07/29/archaeological-proof-of-red-sea-crossing/
American Revival Press link: This Christian article was listed because of it referencing these discoveries and Ron Wyatt in 2023 (with photos).
https://www.americanrevivalpress.org/post/the-actual-red-sea-crossing-site-found
-----
Full 'Medium' article:
Scientists Finally Found Evidence For Moses's Red Sea Crossing
Ancient chariot wheels were discovered underneath the crossing.
The Mystery Seeker
7 min read
Aug 14, 2024
The Red Sea crossing, one of the Bible's most dramatic events, has long been a subject of reverence and skepticism. For centuries, this miraculous tale of divine intervention and deliverance has captivated believers, while raising questions among historians and scientists.
The path of the Red Sea crossing, about 12 miles (19.3 km). |
Recently, however, new discoveries have emerged that may provide the first solid evidence supporting this ancient story. As scientists uncover intriguing clues beneath the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, the line between myth and history begins to blur.
The Biblical Account
The biblical account of the Red Sea crossing is a cornerstone of the Exodus story, found in the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament. This narrative details the escape of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery under the leadership of Moses. After enduring harsh treatment and plagues sent by God, Pharaoh finally allows the Israelites to leave Egypt.
However, he soon changes his mind and sends his army to pursue them. The Israelites, trapped between the advancing Egyptian forces and the Red Sea, face what seems to be an impossible situation.
In this moment of desperation, Moses stretches out his hand over the sea, and God parts the waters, creating a dry path for the Israelites to cross. The entire nation of Israel, according to the Bible, safely traverses the sea, with walls of water standing on either side.
As Pharaoh's army follows, the waters return, drowning the Egyptian soldiers and securing the Israelites' freedom. This event is celebrated in Jewish tradition as a defining moment of divine intervention and liberation.
The significance of the Red Sea crossing extends beyond its dramatic narrative. For the Israelites, it marks the moment when they fully transitioned from slavery to freedom, becoming a nation under God's protection.
This event is also seen as a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness, reinforcing the covenant between God and the people of Israel. Throughout history, this story has been a symbol of hope and deliverance, inspiring countless generations.
However, the miraculous nature of the Red Sea crossing has also made it a subject of skepticism and debate. Over centuries, theologians, historians, and scientists have questioned the plausibility of such an event.
Was it a literal miracle, or could it be explained by natural phenomena? Despite these questions, the story has endured, deeply embedded in religious tradition and continuing to captivate both believers and sceptics.
The Skeptical View
The story of the Red Sea crossing has fascinated believers for millennia, but it has also been met with skepticism from the scientific community. Scientists and historians have long questioned the feasibility of such a miraculous event.
The primary reason for doubt lies in the extraordinary nature of the account — a vast body of water parting to allow an entire nation to cross on dry ground, only to collapse and destroy an army moments later. For many, this defies the known laws of nature and physics, making it difficult to accept without empirical evidence.
Verifying the Red Sea crossing through scientific methods presents significant challenges. The event is said to have occurred over 3,000 years ago, making it difficult to find direct evidence. The natural environment has undergone significant changes over millennia, and any physical remnants of the event — such as chariot wheels or human remains — would likely be buried deep beneath sediment or dispersed by natural forces.
Additionally, the exact location of the crossing has been debated, with some proposing it occurred at the Gulf of Suez, while others suggest the Gulf of Aqaba.
The Crossing of the Red Sea, by Nicolas Poussin (1633–34).
Previous attempts to locate the crossing site have been met with limited success. Early expeditions focused on the Gulf of Suez, where shallow waters could make the event seem more plausible.
However, these investigations did not yield conclusive evidence. In recent years, attention has shifted to the Gulf of Aqaba, where deeper waters and more dramatic underwater landscapes might align better with the biblical description.
Yet, even here, the search is complicated by the sheer size of the area, the depth of the waters, and the technical challenges of underwater archaeology.
Geographical and environmental considerations add to the difficulty. The Red Sea region is tectonically active, and natural events such as earthquakes and volcanic activity could have altered the landscape significantly since the time of the Exodus.
This makes it hard to determine whether any geological features that exist today were present during the purported crossing. Moreover, the possibility that the crossing might have been a localized event, exaggerated over time, further complicates efforts to pinpoint its location.
New Scientific Evidence
Recent discoveries in the Gulf of Aqaba have reignited the debate over the historical accuracy of the Red Sea crossing. For years, researchers have speculated that this body of water, rather than the traditionally considered Gulf of Suez, could be the actual site of the biblical event.
The Gulf of Aqaba, with its deep waters and complex underwater terrain, presents a more plausible setting for the dramatic crossing described in the Bible. These findings have provided fresh momentum to the search for evidence of this ancient miracle.
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence found in the Gulf of Aqaba is the discovery of coral-encrusted objects resembling ancient chariot wheels. These objects, scattered along the seabed, appear to be consistent with the time period of the Exodus.
Additionally, researchers have identified what they believe to be remnants of human and animal bones, further suggesting a catastrophic event in the area. The presence of these artefacts, coupled with the depth and width of the Gulf, has led some scientists to propose that this is the location where the Israelites crossed.
Geological studies have also revealed intriguing features of the underwater topography in the Gulf of Aqaba. A natural land bridge, with a relatively shallow depth compared to the surrounding waters, extends across the Gulf.
This formation could have provided a plausible route for the Israelites to cross during a temporary parting of the waters, possibly caused by a natural phenomenon like a strong wind or an earthquake. The steep underwater slopes on either side of this ridge match the description of "walls of water" in the biblical account.
Scientists have interpreted these findings with cautious optimism. While the evidence is compelling, it is not yet definitive. The coral-encrusted chariot wheels, for example, could be remnants of shipwrecks or other historical events unrelated to the Exodus.
However, the concentration of these artefacts in a specific area, along with the geological features, suggests that there is more to this site than initially believed. If further research confirms these initial findings, it could significantly impact our understanding of the Red Sea crossing.
Interpreting the Evidence
The discoveries in the Gulf of Aqaba have sparked intense debate among both believers and sceptics, highlighting the complex relationship between faith and science. For those who accept the biblical account as historical fact, these findings offer a sense of validation.
The possibility that remnants of chariots and bones may lie beneath the waters of the Red Sea strengthens their belief in the miraculous event described in the Bible. However, for sceptics, these discoveries raise more questions than answers, leaving much room for doubt.
While the evidence found is intriguing, it is not conclusive. The coral-encrusted objects and geological formations suggest a connection to the biblical narrative, but they do not irrefutably prove that the Red Sea crossing occurred as described.
For sceptics, the possibility remains that these artefacts could be remnants of unrelated events or natural formations. This uncertainty keeps the debate alive, with both sides interpreting the evidence through their lenses of belief and skepticism.
These findings have the potential to reshape our understanding of the Red Sea crossing, but they also highlight the limitations of using scientific methods to prove or disprove ancient events. The intersection of science and religion in this context is particularly complex.
While science seeks empirical evidence and logical explanations, faith often operates in the realm of the unseen and the miraculous. This creates tension in historical analysis, as the same evidence can be interpreted in vastly different ways depending on one's perspective.
The broader impact of these discoveries extends beyond the specific case of the Red Sea crossing. They underscore the challenges faced by historians and archaeologists when dealing with ancient texts and traditions.
As science continues to probe the mysteries of the past, it must balance the need for evidence with the understanding that some aspects of history may remain beyond our reach. This ongoing dialogue between faith and science is crucial, as it deepens our appreciation of both the historical and spiritual dimensions of ancient events.
Conclusion
The recent discoveries in the Gulf of Aqaba have brought new insights and sparked renewed debate over the historicity of the Red Sea crossing. While these findings provide intriguing clues that align with the biblical narrative, they also highlight the ongoing tension between faith and scientific inquiry. As research continues, the line between myth and history may become clearer, yet some questions may always remain unanswered.
