Wadi
1
WADI. Geographic names with the element “wadi,” meaning “river,” generally can be found under the second element of the name; for example: DALIYEH, WADI ED-; JILAT, WADI AL-. Exceptions are WADI MURABBAAT and WADI MUSA.
Freedman, D. N. (1996, c1992). The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6:862). New York: Doubleday.
2
WADI* Intermittent stream or torrent in the arid and semiarid regions of the Middle East. Although the streambeds were usually dry, they could attain flood stage during spring runoff or after heavy rainfalls. The most significant wadi in the Bible was the Wadi of Egypt (“Brook of Egypt” in modern versions), which served as the southwestern border of Canaan according to God’s instructions to Moses (Nm 34:5; Jos 15:4, 47; 1 Kgs 8:65; Is 27:12). During the dry periods, wadis were important as roadways.
Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (1289). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
3
wadi (wahʹdee), an Arabic word for stream or stream bed. Many streams in the area inhabited by ancient Israel flow only seasonally. During the dry seasons occasional pools of water may have collected in the stream beds or the beds may have been completely dry. The wadis could be used to advantage in military matters (‘ravine,’ Josh. 8:10-23). They were undependable water sources and could symbolize deceit (Jer. 15:18).
Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper's Bible dictionary. Includes index. (1st ed.) (1116). San Francisco: Harper & Row.
4
Wadi (Arab. wâdī)
A river, brook, or stream bed. Many of these streams flow only seasonally, and hence are an undependable water source. Significant wadis include Wadi Murabba˓āt (about halfway between Qumran and En-gedi) and Wadi Mukhmas (whose source is in the hills of Bethel), two places containing caves where important discoveries have been made. Another example is the Wadi Qelṭ at Jericho, three springs whose waters make this area a flourishing oasis for agriculture.
John L. Gillman
Freedman, D. N., Myers, A. C., & Beck, A. B. (2000). Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible (1363). Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans.
