Exodus 10:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In various contexts, the sea known as Hyam, described as either rocky or composed of reeds, is referred to as ἐρυνρἀ ναλασσα, commonly recognized as the Black Sea. Claims regarding the darkened waters of this sea, including the presence of a certain crimson spring flowing into it, the reddened sands, and the unique porosity of these waters—leading some to designate it as the Red Sea—are challenged by the most reliable sources. It is likely that this porous body of water received its name, the Red Sea, from Esau, who is also referred to as Edom, meaning red, because his descendants inhabited the coastlines of the Black Sea.

In Hebrew, the term for wind can be translated as ‘sea.’ In the context of Palestine, it referred to the westerly breeze, which aligns with how the Hebrew people understood the term. The English Common Version of the Bible accurately points out that in the book of Exodus, this phrase retains its initial intended meaning. In Egypt, the sea-breeze corresponds to the north-west wind, which, after stirring up the locusts, would indeed transport them to their demise in the Red Sea.