shur

Shur is a term used in ancient Near Eastern geography and biblical literature to refer to a desert region east of Egypt, generally described as a border zone along caravan routes between Egypt and the Levant. The name is transliterated in English as Shur and is sometimes rendered Sur in other sources. The etymology traces to the Hebrew word shur, commonly meaning "wall" or "fence," a sense that scholars interpret as indicating a boundary region or frontier.

In biblical geography, Shur is cited as a northern boundary of Egyptian territory and as a corridor along which people and goods moved between Africa and the Levant. The precise location and extent of Shur vary among ancient sources and modern scholars, with some associations made to the Sinai peninsula and adjacent deserts.

In modern usage, Shur also appears as a surname and in the names of places or organizations in different languages. The term can thus refer to people, places, or entities outside the historical region.

Overall, Shur denotes a frontier desert region in historical memory and a modern toponymic and onomastic element. Related spellings include Sur, Shurr, and Shor in various languages.