ἐρυθρός

From the study of Acts 7:36

Range of meaning

Literally 'Red Sea'. In Greek geography (Herodotus 1.1; 2.8, 2.158) the Erythraean Sea meant the whole southern water system: the Arabian Gulf (our Red Sea with its northern arms, the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba), and often the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean as well.

Against the English

English 'Red Sea' is a correct rendering of the Greek. But the Hebrew behind it, yam sûf, is usually explained as 'Sea of Reeds' (sûf = reeds, Exod 2:3). Some English readers know the Hebrew and say 'Reed Sea', which is a different name from the one Stephen used.

How it drifted

The Greek Old Testament (3rd–2nd century BC) rendered yam sûf as 'Red Sea'. The New Testament (Acts 7:36; Heb 11:29) follows it. Today readers map the name onto the specific body of water on modern maps, which is narrower than the ancient Greek term.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Exod 10:19; 13:18; 15:4, 22; Josephus, Antiquities 2.315 and elsewhere; Heb 11:29.

From the study of Hebrews 11:29

Range of meaning

Literally 'the Red Sea'. In Greek geography, the 'Erythraean Sea' was a broad name for the waters south and east of Egypt and Arabia: the modern Red Sea with its two northern gulfs, and also the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and even the Persian Gulf. Herodotus (1.1) says the Phoenicians came 'from the Erythraean Sea'. The Septuagint uses the phrase for the Hebrew yam suph, which literally means 'sea of reeds/papyrus' (suph is the reed of Exodus 2:3).

Against the English

English 'Red Sea' renders the Greek exactly. A modern reader, though, pictures the specific body of water on today's maps. The author of Hebrews is just using the standard scriptural name from the Greek Bible he quotes throughout. He is not making a claim about where the crossing happened.

How it drifted

The ancient name was broad. The modern map name is narrow. Separately, the observation that the Hebrew means 'Sea of Reeds' has sparked modern arguments about where the crossing took place. Those arguments concern Exodus and are not something Hebrews takes up.

Used elsewhere in the period

The LXX uses it for yam suph throughout, e.g. Exodus 13:18; 15:4, 22. It appears in Wisdom 10:18 ('he brought them over the Red Sea and led them through deep waters'), in Acts 7:36 (Stephen's speech), in Josephus' retelling of the Exodus (Antiquities 2), and in Philo. In the Hebrew Bible, yam suph also names the Gulf of Aqaba near Ezion-geber (1 Kings 9:26), so even the Hebrew term reached the arms of the modern Red Sea.