The memorable place where the visions of God began with Moses. Here it was, that this great leader of the armies of Israel had his first view of God in Christ. That this was Christ, the Angel of the Covenant, who manifested himself to the man of God, there can be no question, by comparing the account of this solemn interview, as it is related in Exodus, chap. 3: and as it is explained by Stephen, Acts 7: 30 - 32. Horeb, and mount Sinai, were so close to each other, that they both, at a distance, appeared but as one mountain.Here it was, that Moses struck the rock at the foot of Horeb. (Exod. 17. 6 - 8.) And Rephidim was near at hand. From hence the progress of the rock that followed Israel took its rise, and which the apostle to the Corinthians plainly declares was Christ. (1 Cor. x. 4.) So that Horeb, which in its original sense signifies a desert and dryness, was admirably suited both to Moses and Israel, to teach them that from the dry and desert state of our fallen nature ariseth the very cause of finding springs in Christ. It is from ourmisery Christ takes occasion to magnify the glory of his mercy; and from the drought of Horeb, the rock that follows Israel, even Christ, furnished a fulness of living water to the soul. The name of Rephidim, which is in the plural number, and signifies places of rest, from Raphab, rest, is esentation of our nature resting in itself, without any thing in our own power to give satisfaction to the dry soul. Here will be always "Massah and Meribah, that is, temptation and chiding, " till Christ, the rock of living water, is discovered andenjoyed. See Sinai.
a mountain in Arabia Petraea, a part of which, or near to which, was Sinai. At Horeb God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, Exo 3:1, &c. Hither Elijah retired to avoid the persecution of Jezebel, 1Ki 19:8. Sinai and Horeb seem to be two parts of the same mountain; hence the law is sometimes said to be given there.
Ho´reb [SINAI]
See SINAI.\par
Ho’reb. (desert). See Sinai.
("dry, dried up".) The designation of the northern part of the Sinaitic range, so Rephidim is made to be situated in it (Exo 17:6). Sinai was the central mass of mountains including the particular peak from which the law was given. So the name "Sinai" is most used from Exo 19:11 to Num 3:1, where Israel is described as at or about the scene of the giving of the law. But, in Deuteronomy, where Israel appears no longer in that region, "Horeb" is used. Sinai means "sharp pointed," "toothed" (Knobel), the point Ras Sufsafeh.
Horeb (hô’reb), dry, desert. A mountain or range frequently mentioned in Scripture. The special application of Horeb and Sinai in the Old Testament has been much discussed. Robinson and Hengstenberg think that Horeb is the name for the whole range—Sinai for a particular peak; Gesenius and others hold precisely the opposite view. Stanley suggests that there is more a distinction of usage than of place. 1. In Leviticus and Numbers Sinai is exclusively used of the scene of the giving of the Law. 2. In Deuteronomy Horeb is substituted for Sinai. 3. In the Psalms the two are used indifferently. See Sinai and Palestine, p. 31. The mountain of Sinai and its wilderness are distinguished as the theatre of events that took place in the district of Horeb and the whole of Horeb is called "the mountain of God." Exo 3:1; Exo 3:12; Exo 4:27; Exo 17:6; Exo 18:5; Exo 33:6. Hence, sometimes "Sinai" alone is spoken of. Exo 19:11; Exo 19:20; Exo 19:23; Exo 24:16; Exo 31:18; Exo 34:29; Exo 34:32; Lev 7:38; Lev 25:1; Lev 26:46; Lev 27:34; Num 1:1; Num 3:1; Num 3:14; Num 33:15. But frequently "Horeb" alone is named, and the same events are spoken of as occurring on Horeb which are described as taking place on Sinai. Deu 1:2; Deu 1:6; Deu 1:19; Deu 4:10; Deu 4:15; Deu 5:2; Deu 9:8; Deu 18:16; Deu 29:1. Later sacred writers employ both names: e.g., "Horeb," 1Ki 8:9; 1Ki 19:8; 2Ch 5:10; Psa 106:19; Mal 4:4; "Sinai," Jdg 6:5; Psa 68:8; Psa 68:17.
[Ho’reb]
A mount closely connected with Sinai, and supposed to embrace the range of mountains lying about 28° 30’ N, between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Akaba, whereas Sinai is one of the mountain peaks. Horeb was called ’the mountain of God.’ Exo 3:1. It was where God had intercourse with Moses, and where He made a covenant with Israel. Near here also the golden calf was set up. Exo 17:6; Exo 33:6; Deu 1:2; Deu 1:6; Deu 1:19; Deu 4:10; Deu 4:15; Deu 29:1; Psa 106:19. See SINAI.
HOREB.—See Sinai.
Mount Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai. (For details see SINAI.)