Shur

The wilderness region located in the Sinai Peninsula east of Egypt’s Nile Delta and west of the Negev. In ancient times, a caravan route passed through this region from Egypt to Palestine. Abraham lived for a time between Shur and Kadesh (Genesis 20:1). Ishmaelites also lived in the area (Genesis 25:18). After crossing the Red Sea, Moses led Israel on a three-day journey through this dry land (Exodus 15:22). King Saul of Israel conquered the Amalekites near Shur (1 Samuel 15:7). Later, David defeated the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites here (1 Samuel 27:8). Numbers 33:8 calls the area the wilderness of Etham.