The Red Sea is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament (24x), and twice in the New, always in association with the deliverance of Israel from the pursuing Egyptian forces. The Red Sea in this context should not be understood in the same sense in which we understand the modern Red Sea.
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The Hebrew word yam suph should properly be translated "Reed Sea," rather than Red Sea. Since the word assumes the dominant presence of reeds we may also assume that it referred rather to a body of fresh water, rather than a marine one (which the Red Sea, of course, is). Nevertheless, there is ancient evidences to suggest that the name was applied not only to the several lakes in the region east of the Nile delta, but at least also to the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba. The identity of the sea which ancient Israel crossed to safety, therefore, remains unidentified. Some commentators have suggested the Bitter Lakes (the Greater and Little), or one of the many others in the region (Lake Timsah, Lake Ballah) that have since disappeared into and become part of the Suez Canal constructed in the 1850s. The issue remains a lively debate. The rendering of yam suph into Red Sea, however, has a long history, already found in the Septuagint.
The Red Sea familiar to us today is more than 2100 km long from the Indian Ocean to the Suez Gulf, more than 160 km at its widest, and 2,000 m deep. Because of the Suez Canal, the Red Sea is a major marine thoroughfare. It is also famous for its coral reefs providing one of the best spots for diving in the world.
Just in case you are wondering why the Sea is called Red Sea, colours were used in ancient times to denote direction (that was how generals on the battle field communicate with their commanders, by the colour of flags). Thus there is the Black Sea in the north and the Red Sea in the south. Though forgotten by most now, the Mediterranean used to be referred to as the White Sea. 'Mediterranean' means 'in the middle of the land' (medi and terra), and since that is a fact more easily understood than 'white,' Mediterranean stuck and the White Sea fated from memory.
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