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Ra'amses

The Israelites were forced to help build this store city in the Goshen region (Exodus 1:11; Numbers 33:3), together with Pithom. Scholars have identified Ra'amses at Pelusium, Tanis, Qantir or Heliopolis. However, the Exodus began from Rameses, not Ra'amses (see Genesis 47:11; Exodus 12:37).

Rabbah

The Ammonite city where king Og's enormous bed was said to be found (Deuteronomy 3:11). See also Ammon.

Rameses

The city of Rameses was in the Goshen region, and is identified variously with Heliopolis, Hero-opolis and Pelusium. Joseph found an estate for his father and brothers in the best area of Rameses (Genesis 47:11): the city is best-known as the starting-point of the Exodus (Exodus 12:37), but Kaplan points out the different spelling of the latter (see Ra'amses).

Ramoth

One of the three cities of refuge east of the Jordan designated by Moses (Deuteronomy 4:43). It is probably at Tel Remith, 40 km (25 miles) east of the Jordan, somewhat to the south of the Kinnereth sea.

Rechov

A city discovered by Joshua and the spies (Numbers 13:21), on the road to Chamath. It is situated to the north-west of Canaan, and is thought to have been located in the area later occupied by the tribe of Asher. It is also sometimes known as Beth-Rechov.

Rechovoth

Also spelled Rehoboth, its meaning is 'wide spaces'. It was the site of a well dug by Isaac and his followers (Genesis 26:22) on their way to Beer-sheba. The name is mentioned again at Genesis 36:37 as the place of origin of Saul, king of Edom, but this is unlikely to be the same place.

Rechovoth Ir

A place in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) mentioned in Genesis 10:11 as founded by Asshur. Its exact location is uncertain but it may have been a suburb of Nineveh.

Red Sea

The Red Sea divides north-east Africa from Arabia and extends nearly 2.000 km from north Aden to the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula. In Exodus 10:19 ,Exodus 13:18 and Exodus 14:21-30 the Red Sea referred to is probably one of the lakes north of the Gulf of Suez, perhaps one of the Bitter Lakes. Elsewhere (e.g. Exodus 23:31) the Red Sea is possibly the Gulf of Aqaba. It is also known as the Sea of Reeds ( Yam Suf in Hebrew) or the Reed Sea. The reference to Suf at Deuteronomy 1:1 may refer to the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aqaba nearby.

Rephidim

The final encampment of the Israelites on the Exodus from Egypt before reaching Mount Sinai (Exodus 17:1, Exodus 19:2; Numbers 33:14-15). It is usually identified with Wadi Refayid in south-west Sinai, although the exact location is unknown. It was named Testing-and-Argument by Moses because the people had argued and tested God by demanding that Moses produce water for them Exodus 17:7). Led by Joshua, the Israelites fought successfully against Amalek here: the battle was won because Moses raised his hands, assisted by Aaron and Chur (Exodus 17:8-16).

Resen

A city in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) mentioned in Genesis 10:12 as having been founded by Asshur. Its site is uncertain but it was probably near Nineveh.

Rimmon Peretz

Also known as Rimmon Paretz. One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness, mentioned at Numbers 33:19-20.

Rissah

An encampment of the Israelites in the Wilderness. Only mentioned at Numbers 33:21-22. Its location is unknown.

Rivlah

A locality mentioned at Numbers 34:12 as forming part of the eastern border of the Promised Land. It is probably identical with the Daphne of classical times to the east of the Jordan, north of Lake Hula.

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