1. THE EXODUS ROUTE AND RED SEA CROSSING POINT

2. Introduction The actual route of the exodus is unknown
We only know with certainty 3 of nearly 50 places between Egypt and Jordan
Rameses (Goshen)
Ezion-Geber (modern Elat)
Mt. Nebo
Of the wildernesses mentioned we only know for certain the Wilderness of Shur was in Midian
We are not told for certain where the Red Sea crossing point was
By looking at the geography of the region we can figure out the best possible route and crossing point
The possible route and crossing point must be
Scriptural
Possible
Logical
Most of this information is based on research by Steve Rudd

4. Scriptural Considerations
Southern route not eastern – Ex. 13:17-18
The Red Sea is the Gulf of Aqaba – Ex. 23:31; Num 21:4; Deut 2:1; Judges 11:16; 1 Kings 9:26
The Gulf of Suez is referenced only once: Ex 10:19
Water deep enough to create a wall of water (Ex. 14:21-22) and drown Pharoah’s army (Ex. 14:28)
Crossing far enough away from Goshen to justify bitter complaint in the wilderness – Ex. 14:11-12
Minimum 3 day journey – Ex. 5:3
Crossing point guaranteed security from Egypt
They sang and rejoiced in their deliverance and freedom

5. Order Of Travel Rameses, Goshen Wilderness Succoth Etham
Camp by the sea
Other points referenced
Pi-hahiroth
Migdol
Baal-zephon
Red Sea

6. Rameses (Goshen) The exodus starting point – Ex. 12:33
Archeology has confirmed location at modern day Tel el Dab’a (Avaris)
Pelusiac branch of Nile flowed past the site giving access to the Mediterranean
The town lay on the land route to Canaan, the famous Horus Road

9. The Wilderness of Egypt
“As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt” - Ezekiel 20:36
Notice these two passage that say they went through a wilderness before crossing the Red Sea: "For when they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the wilderness to the Red Sea and came to Kadesh" Judges 11:16; "Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt." Exodus 13:18
The wilderness is the Sinai Peninsula

11. Succoth
"Then the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses and camped in Succoth." Numbers 33:5
Unknown location
In Hebrew, Succoth means: "block, stop the approach, shut off, cover" (TWOT, 1492)
Since most of the exodus names were given by the Israelites as they traveled, this name obviously refers to a place that would "block, stop the approach, shut off" easy access by the Egyptian army.
The 200 mile coastal plain on the east side of the Gulf of Suez is flat and wide except for the 10 mile section of medium difficulty, hilly terrain. Israel camped on the southern side of these low mountains on the coastal plain that continues to the crossing point. The Hebrews would feel protected from the Egyptians when they stopped here because the difficult terrain to the north would slow down the army.

12. Below is the purposed location of Succoth on the southern edge of the mountain range on the coastal flat: By Steve Rudd

13. Below is the coastal plain south of Succoth at modern Al Tur:

14. Etham
“Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness” – Ex. 13:20
Pharaoh said: "They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in." Ex 14:3
Unknown location
The mountains that trapped Israel are 300 meters high. These mountains "shut them in" and are the end of the 200 mile coastal plain, "on the edge of the wilderness" (Ex 13:20).

21. Other Points Referenced
"They journeyed from Etham and turned back to Pi- hahiroth, which faces Baal-zephon, and they camped before Migdol." Numbers 33:7
"Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea." Exodus 14:2
Points of reference to find the camp
Unknown locations

23. Pi-hahiroth
The word "Pi-Hahiroth" means "mouth of water". The present day geography shows a "mouth like looking" isthmus at the intersection between the two Gulfs, just south of the Straits of Tiran.

26. Baal-zephon
Baal-zephon is located at Mt. Tiran on Tiran Island, Saudi Arabia.
"Baal-zephon" means literally: "lord of the north". (Baal = lord + zephon = north.)
"The god Baal-zephon is mentioned in Ugaritic, Egyptian, and Phoenician writings as a sea and storm god." (Tyndale Bible dictionary)
Baal-zephon would have been a clearly visible marker across the Red Sea.
The language of the Bible makes it clear that it was on the opposite shore of the Red Sea: "camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it". (Ex 14:2)

29. Migdol at the Straits of Tiran
The word "Migdol" in Hebrew means "watchtower".
It refers to one of many Egyptian military lookout posts scattered across Egypt.
The existence of the Egyptian migdol's is confirmed by archeology.
The elevation of the Migdol at the Straits of Tiran is 500 meters.
Three way intersection of the Red Sea, gulf of Suez and gulf of Aqaba was one of the most important
From the vantage point on the ridge of mountains near the sea, you could get a view for 30 miles each way. It was of huge military and defensive importance.

34. Red Sea Crossing at the Straits of Tiran
The Gulf of Aqaba is a very deep channel of water ranging from meters in the middle. However at the Straits of Tiran, there is a natural land bridge so the deepest point the Israelites would encounter is only 205 meters.
The crossing at the Straits of Tiran is 11 miles long and a natural land bridge provides for an 800 meters wide pathway the full distance of the crossing.
The slope of descent is far more important than the depth. The Straits of Tiran, as we see them today pose absolutely no problem for a crossing by 2 million people since the slope is shallow and the depth is no more than 600 feet. (205 meters).

39. Problems with Other Routes & Crossing Points

40. Bitter Lakes Crossing

41. Bitter Lakes Crossing Too shallow for wall of water
No wilderness before the crossing
Too close to Goshen
The army would not have passed through the sea but just go around on land

42. Port of Suez Crossing

43. Port of Suez Crossing Too close to Goshen
Too close to a major Egyptian sea port
Army would go around
No need to rejoice because they are still in Egypt

44. Conclusion The southern route along the east coast of the Gulf of Suez
The crossing point at the Straits of Tiran
Scriptural, possible, and logical
Does this really matter?
What matters is the power of God, his miracles, and his providential care
Invitation