Pi-hahiroth

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Pi-hahiroth (Hebrew: פִּי הַחִירֹת) was a place in Ancient Egypt on the west bank of the Red Sea. The Book of Exodus refers to Pi-hahiroth as the place where the Israelites encamped while awaiting an imminent attack by Pharaoh, prior to crossing the Red Sea.

The Hebrew name "Pi-hahiroth" has been translated as "mouth of the gorges," descriptive of its location, where the mouths of two rivers (wadis) combine at the point of entry into the sea. Another possible translation is "the Bay of Hiroth."

Pi-hahiroth has also been identified as 'a place where sedge grows' or ‘a place where reeds grow’. This has resulted in much discussion and speculation about an alternative location. Some have argued that, as a marshy place with reeds, its location to the north of Suez was more likely. Other have thought it to be near Ajrud, a fortress between Etham and Suez. There was nevertheless consensus that the location of Pi-hahiroth was close to Egypt.

Pi-hahiroth is near Baal-zephon. The Book of Exodus records that the Israelites were directed to go to Pi-hahiroth, and encamp in front of Baal-zephon, between Migdol and the sea, so that Pharaoh would consider them to be geographically trapped, and pursue them. William Smith, in his Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, tentatively identifies Pi-hahiroth with Arsinoe, Egypt.

Pi-hahiroth is located about 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of As Suways (Suez Port), and about 125 kilometres (78 mi) east south east of al-Qahirah (Cairo), at which point the Red Sea is about 31 kilometres (19 mi) wide. The substantial container shipping port of Ayn al Suknah has been built in this bay.

The Haggada holds that Pi-hahiroth is the same as Pi-Tum.

Some archaeologists believe that Pi-hahiroth is on the western shore of the Gulf of Aqaba, thus placing the Crossing of the Red Sea further east than typically believed, but at the same time, placing it "out of Egypt" as the Biblical text describes.