Arabia

Meaning: arid.

Arabia is an extensive region in southwest Asia. It is bounded on the west by the Isthmus of Suez and the Red Sea, on the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the east by the Persian Gulf and the Euphrates. It extends far into the north in barren deserts, meeting those of Syria and Mesopotamia. It is one of the few countries of the world from which the original inhabitants have never been expelled.

The whole land appears (Gen. 10) to have been inhabited by a variety of tribes of different lineage, Ishmaelites, Arabians, Idumeans, Horites, and Edomites. They eventually became amalgamated and came to be known by the general designation of Arabs. The modern nation of Arabs is predominantly Ishmaelite. Their language is the most developed and the richest of all the Semitic languages, and is of great value to the student of Hebrew.

The Israelites wandered for forty years in Arabia. In the days of Solomon and the years after, there was much commercial intercourse with Arabia (1 Kings 10:15; 2 Chr. 9:14; 17:11). Arabians were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:11). Paul retired for a while into Arabia after his conversion (Gal. 1:17). This country is frequently referred to by the prophets (Isaiah 21:11; 42:11; Jer. 25:24, etc.)

In ancient times, it was divided into three parts:

1. Arabia Felix (Happy Arabia), so called from its fertility, between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf

2. Arabia Deserta, the el-Badieh or "Great Wilderness" of the Arabs. From this name is derived the name by which the nomadic tribes who wandered this region are known, the "Bedaween," or, more generally, "Bedouin."

3. Arabia Petraea, i.e., the Rocky Arabia, so called from its rocky mountains and stony plains. It consisted of all the northwest portion of the country.

ALSO SEE:

• Midian
• Midianite