Rephidim: Supports, one of the stations of the Israelites, situated in the Wady
Feiran, near its junction with the Wady esh-Sheikh. Here no water
could be found for the people to drink, and in their impatience they
were ready to stone Moses, as if he were the cause of their distress.
At the command of God Moses smote "the rock in Horeb," and a copious
stream flowed forth, enough for all the people. After this the
Amalekites attacked the Israelites while they were here encamped, but
they were utterly defeated
(Exodus 17:1,8-16) They were the "first of the
nations" to make war against Israel
(Numbers 24:20) Leaving Rephidim, the
Israelites advanced into the wilderness of Sinai
(Exodus 19:1,2)
(Numbers 33:14,15) marching probably through the two passes of the Wady
Solaf and the Wady esh-Sheikh, which converge at the entrance to the
plain er-Rahah, the "desert of Sinai," which is two miles long and
about half a mile broad.
