- -, BibleTranslation discussion list, [], - David Dewey (Tue, 15 Mar 2005): I would have guessed the Nile, and this is Peterson's thought too.
My guess is based on the fact that the Nile is the major river in Egypt (cp Great River = Euphrates), in fact, the only one I can name
However, two study Bibles I have says Wadi-el-arish which apparently marks or marked the southern boundary between Judah and Sinai, though on what basis is unclear. The NET also makes this identification, though does not
give the wadi's name
In Numbers 34:5, Josh 15:4, and Is 27:12, the ESV translates the same(?) expression as the Brook of Egypt which I would not assume to be the Nile.
- Peter Kirk (Tue, 15 Mar 2005): The "river of Egypt", to anyone who knows any geography, is the one river which flows through that land and gives it life, the Nile. Peterson makes this interpretation explicit. But is this the correct interpretation? This Hebrew word NAHAR "river" is clearly used of the Nile in Isaiah 19:5. But it has been suggested that the text is corrupt (although there is no textual evidence for this), that the original was the slightly different Hebrew word NAXAL "torrent, wadi"; in other words, this reference should be to the NAXAL of Egypt, named as the border of Israel in 2 Kings 24:7 and referred to in several other places - probably referring to Wadi el-Arish.
Vertaling Bijbel, Kanttekeningen SV, [], Ten zelfden dage [41]maakte de HEERE een verbond met Abram, zeggende: Aan uw zaad heb Ik dit land [42]gegeven, [43]van de rivier van Egypte af, tot aan die grote rivier, de rivier [44]Frath: 41. Hebr. sneed, of, hieuw. Een manier van spreken genomen van het slachten der beesten, en de verdeling der stukken, vermeld vs.17. 42. Te weten, door mijn besloten voornemen en verklaarde belofte; boven hoofdstuk hfdst.13 vs.15, hoewel de uitvoering nog tot den tijd voornoemd, vs.13, moet uitgesteld worden. 43. Hierdoor wordt verstaan de rivier Sichor, welke Egypte van Kanaan scheidt; Num.34:5; Joz.13:3; 1 Kron.13:5. Anderen verstaan hier de rivier Nilus (de Nijl.) 44. Zie boven hfdst.2 vs.14, en de vervulling hiervan 2 Sam.8:3, en 1 Kon.4:21, 1 Kon.9:21; 1 Kron.18:3; 2 Kron.9:26.