Horeb

Horeb is a toponym in the Hebrew Bible used to designate a mountain or mountainous region in the Sinai Peninsula. In many biblical texts, Horeb is identified with Mount Sinai, the site of God’s revelations to Moses. The burning bush episode occurs on Horeb (Exodus 3:1), and the Israelites later reach the mountain where Moses receives the law (Exodus 19–24). Deuteronomy 1:2 also mentions Horeb as the place from which the Israelites traveled to Kadesh Barnea, reinforcing its association with Sinai. In 1 Kings 19:8, the prophet Elijah travels to Horeb, the mount of God, during his flight from Jezebel.

Geography and identification: Traditional readings place Horeb within the Sinai Peninsula and often equate it with Mount Sinai, though some scholars distinguish Horeb as a broader desert region or as a different peak in southern Sinai. The exact site remains uncertain, and different traditions identify Horeb with various nearby hills or formations.

Etymology and usage: The meaning of the name Horeb is uncertain in the Hebrew text. Some scholars suggest it may derive from words related to dryness or desolation, while others treat it as a proper name for the region. In biblical usage, Horeb and Sinai are sometimes used interchangeably and at other times to denote related but distinct locales.

Religious significance: Horeb is regarded in Judaism and Christianity as a place of divine revelation and covenant, and in Islamic tradition Mount Sinai (often associated with Horeb) is revered as the site linked to Moses.

Archaeology and scholarship: No conclusive archaeological evidence has identified a single definitive Horeb site or confirmed its exact relationship to Mount Sinai, leaving identifications to ongoing scholarly debate.