In the time of the Ptolemies Heroum was supposed to bound the northern point. But in times of high antiquity the bay is supposed to have reached upwards beyond it; so that the Israelites, being out of reach of their enemies, were in a fair way for Canaan. But they were ordered to alter their course, and to journey southward, and they obeyed. Having thus marched sixty or seventy miles in a contrary direction, they afforded an opportunity for the Egyptians at last to approach them. They had advanced in the defile of the present Mount Attakah for some time, when they perceived the host of Pharaoh approaching in their rear, and were stopped by the waters of Clysma in their front, which filled up the valley of Hiroth. The place of this inundation, as we have before seen, is now called by the natives Bede, or, as Mr Shaw and • Neibuhr express it, Bedea. I The valley is now, I believe, by the soil and rubbish brought down from the mountains on each side, become dry. But it still retains all the marks of its original state, as Monconys has before informed us, and has still the appearance of a large canal. Indeed we may be assured from I P. 344. * P. 349. its name, Kavopa, Clysma, that it was once an inlet from the sea. Mr Shaw thinks that the name is derived from the Arabic, and has a relation to the miracle which was there displayed. But it is manifestly a Greek word, and relates to an effusion of waters; in which signification it bears some analogy with the other name Bedea. For Bedu, Badu, or Bad, are to be found in the composition of many names of places which are noted for 'water. It was a Greek word, but almost antiquated; and wherever it is seen, it occurs in this sense. It is said also to have been a Phrygian term, and also a Thracian, as it is to be found in Orpheus 2 3 Και βεδυ Νυμφαων καταλείβεται αγλαόν ύδωρ. In this line the word Bedu is used as the pure I ▪ Badon, Baden, Buda-are places denominated from their baths. The city of Bath was of old called Badon, and Bathon from whence the modern term is derived. Lambarde accordingly stiles it Baddanbyrig, Caer-badun, Badonicus Mons, and in the Saxon Chronicle it is stiled simply Badon. 2 Βέδυ μεν γαρ τις φρυγας το ύδωρ φησι (Δίδυμος ὁ Γραμματικος) Clemens, Strom. 1. 5. p. 673. καλείν. See Clemens above-and Orphic. Fragmenta, xix. p. 384. Gesner. It was preserved in some ancient invocations at Miletus. Βεδυ, Ζαν, χθων, πλήκρον, Ζφιγξ. *. Το λο Clemens, ibid. See Bentley's learned Epistle to Mills, Appendix to J. Malala, p. 48. element of water. And another ancient writer, whom he stiles Dion Thutes, introduces the word, when he mentions the pouring of water upon his hands-και Βεδν λαβων κατα χειρων καταχεού. Another writer says--- 'ExxEIV TO Βεδυ σωτηριον προσευχομαι. I long to quafi the salutary stream. The word often relates to warm and medicinal fountains, with which 1 L. 5. P. 673. I Clemens says, that in this place it signifies ror arga, the air; which I know not how to believe; for it is not probable that the same word should betoken two different elements. The line is taken from a passage in the comic writer Philydeus; the whole of which is as follows: * Έλκειν το Βεδυ σωτήριον προσευχομαι, Το τον αερ' έλκειν καθαρον, 8 τεθολωμένον. To me the last line seems to have been not accurately quoted: and the terms ing in the former line and To To in the latter do not quite correspond, nor form a true grammatical connection. I should therefore read in the last instance for TO TOY-TOUT. The person, who speaks, seems to be wishing for two things, which are essential to health, and accordingly says— Έλκαν το Βεδυ σωτηριον προσευχομαι, Οπερ μέγισον εσιν ὑγιειας μέρος· Τοντ' αιρ' έλκειν καθαρον & τεθολωμένον. My prayer is, that I may drink of wholesome water, which has the greatest share in the preservation of man's health; and to breathe the pure air, free from all noxious mixture. Clemens above. the coast of the Red-sea abounded. There are at this day several springs both of hot and salt water in this valley. Hence Bedea and Clysma, however they seem to be nearly of the same purport, may in some degree differ. Bedea is a place of springs and baths. Clysma is denominated from an inlet and inundation. But whatever may have been the express meaning of the name, it is manifest from Ptolemy, that at Bedea must have been the ancient Clysma; and at this place was the inlet of the sea between the mountains of Hiroth, which obstructed the passage to the south. Here the children of Israel were stopped, being got into a narrow pass, to which there was no outlet. They were therefore obliged to encamp by the side of it, having the inundation to their right, and the sea in their front, and Baal-zephon upon the opposite shore. It is said, It is said, that Pharaoh was seen approaching in the very article of their encamping, and, as it is intimated, about the evening. And the children of Israel lift up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them, and they were sore afraid :-And they 'See the Map of Mons. D'Anville, and his Description du Golfe Arabique. said unto Moses, Because there were no gravés in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt ?And Moses said, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Exod. xiv. 10, 11, 13. We may well imagine how great the anxiety of the people must have been who had not true faith in their leader, and saw no possible means for their escape. Night now came on, which must have encreased their horrors and their murmurs against Moses. At last the word of command was given, and the Lord spake unto Moses, who seems to have been looking up to heaven for assistance. Wherefore criest thou to me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it; and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. |