Lexical Summary eruthros: Red Original Word: ἐρυθρός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance red. Of uncertain affinity; red, i.e. (with thalassa) the Red Sea -- red. see GREEK thalassa NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition red NASB Translation red (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2063: ἐρυθρόςἐρυθρός, ἐρυθρᾷ, ἐρυθρον, red; from Homer down; in the N. T. only in the phrase ἡ ἐρυθρᾷ θάλασσα the Red Sea (from Herodotus down (cf. Rawlinson's Herod. vol. i., p. 143)), i. e. the Indian Ocean washing the shores of Arabia and Persia, with its two gulfs, of which the one lying on the east is called the Persian Gulf, the other on the opposite side the Arabian. In the N. T. the phrase denotes the upper part of the Arabian Gulf (the Heroopolite Gulf, so called (i. e. Gulf of Suez)), through which the Israelites made their passage out of Egypt to the shore of Arabia: Acts 7:36; Hebrews 11:29. (the Sept. for יַם־סוּף, the sea of sedge or sea-weed (cf. B. D. as below). Cf. Win: RWB under the word Meer rothes; Pressel in Herzog ix., p. 239ff; Furrer in Sehenkel iv. 150ff; (B. D., see under the words, Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting Strong’s Greek 2063 designates the body of water Scripture calls the “Red Sea,” the scene of Israel’s miraculous passage from bondage to freedom (Exodus 14–15). In the Septuagint, the phrase ἐν τῇ Ἐρυθρᾷ θαλάσσῃ recurs wherever the Hebrew yam sûp̱ is mentioned, rooting the New Testament references firmly in the Exodus narrative. Occurrences in the New Testament • Acts 7:36 – Stephen recounts that Moses “performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness”. Although 2063 appears only twice, each occurrence anchors central theological themes: divine deliverance, authentic faith, and judgment upon persistent unbelief. Old Testament Background The pivotal event is recorded in Exodus 14. Yahweh instructs Moses to stretch out his staff, the waters divide, and Israel walks through on dry ground while Pharaoh’s army perishes. Subsequent passages (Numbers 14:25; Deuteronomy 11:4; Joshua 2:10; Psalm 106:7–11) recall the Red Sea as a defining act of covenant faithfulness. The “Song of Moses” in Exodus 15 celebrates the Lord who “shattered the enemy” (verse 6), forging Israel’s identity as a redeemed people. Theological Themes 1. Redemption and Liberation – The Red Sea marks the moment Israel is finally free from Egyptian oppression. The motif of release from slavery foreshadows deliverance from sin accomplished in Jesus Christ. Typology in Christian Doctrine Early Christian teachers viewed the Red Sea as a type of baptism (compare 1 Corinthians 10:1–2). Just as Israel left Egypt’s tyranny through water, believers leave the realm of sin and death, emerging into new covenant life. The drowning of Pharaoh’s army typologically prefigures the defeat of Satanic powers at the cross (Colossians 2:15). Historical and Geographical Considerations While modern scholarship debates the precise route of the Exodus, Scripture is unequivocal: God parted real waters at a specific location along the Red Sea region. Conservative approaches accept the historicity of the event, seeing archaeological uncertainty not as contradiction but as an invitation for continued exploration under Scriptural authority. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Encouragement in Trials – Congregations facing overwhelming odds can look to the Red Sea as proof that “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Further References for Study Exodus 14–15; Psalm 77:16–20; Isaiah 51:9–11; Nehemiah 9:9–11; Wisdom of Solomon 10:18–19 (historical Jewish reflection); 1 Corinthians 10:1–2; Revelation 15:2–3 (heavenly echo of the Song of Moses). Forms and Transliterations Ερυθρα ερυθρά Ἐρυθρᾷ Ερυθραν ερυθράν Ἐρυθρὰν ερυθράς ερυσίβη Eruthra Eruthran Erythra Erythrā̂i Erythran ErythrànLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 7:36 Adj-DFSGRK: καὶ ἐν Ἐρυθρᾷ Θαλάσσῃ καὶ NAS: of Egypt and in the Red Sea KJV: and in the Red sea, and INT: and in [the] Red Sea and Hebrews 11:29 Adj-AFS Strong's Greek 2063 |
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