And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Came to Elim - i:e., the trees, or palm grove; supposed by Robinson ('Biblical Researches,' vol. 1:, pp. 100-5) to be what is now called Wady Ghurundel, the most extensive water-course in the western desert-an oasis, adorned with a great variety of trees, among which the palm is still conspicuous, and fertilized by a copious stream, which, in the rainy season, flows through it. The objection to this being Elim is, that it is within a distance of six miles from Howarah. It is estimated to be a mile in breadth, but stretching out far to the northeast. Wilson ('Bible Lands,' vol. 1:, p. 174) and Laborde ('Commentaire Geog.' in loco) prefer the neighbouring Wady Useit, chiefly from the palm trees which it possesses. Lepsius ('Letters,' pp. 540, 1), from his theory respecting the position of Marah, fixes upon Wady Shubeikeh, considerably further onward, as the Elim of the Israelites. Stanley leaves the point undetermined, by saying 'Elim must be Ghurundel, Useit, or Taiybeh,' ('Sinai and Palestine,' p. 37, 68).
But Wady Ghurundel has most suffrages in its favour. 'As Ghurundel,' says Robinson, 'is one of the most noted Arab watering-places, and the Israelites probably would have rested there several days, it would not be difficult for them once to make a longer march, and thus reach the plain near the sea. Besides, in a host like that of the Israelites, consisting of more than two million people, with many flocks, it can hardly be supposed that they all marched in one body. More probably the stations, as enumerated, refer rather to the headquarters of Moses and the elders, with a portion of the people who kept with them; while other portions preceded or followed them at various distances, as the convenience of water and pasturage might dictate.' (See Porter's 'Answer to Colenso,' p. 31. Also articles by the same author, 'Family Treasury,' parts 11, 12, 1866.) х `eeynot (H5869) denotes springs; but they might properly enough be called wells, as, being liable to be choked up by the drifting sand, the water must frequently be dug for.]
The palm tree, with its dwarf trunk and shaggy branches, is eminently the tree of the desert, and flourishes only in moist ground. Wherever this tree is, water is near; and, accordingly, travelers through the desert find it on digging usually within such a distance that the roots of the tree can obtain moisture from the fluid (Shaw's 'Travels,' vol. 1:, p. 259-261; Wilson's 'History of the Expedition to Egypt,' p. 18). The number of palm trees is recorded, and this accords with existing usage. 'The palms in the palm-grove at Tor (mountain-land of the Sinai peninsula) are all registered. Property in them is capital' (Henniker, quoted by Stanley, 'Sinai and Palestine,' p. 22, note). The palm trees are still numerous, though somewhat stunted. The shade of one of the remaining palm trees in Wady Ghurundel was found by measurement to be 180 feet in circumference. Kurtz ('History of the Old Covenant,' vol. 3:, p. 14), who is of opinion that Elim was divinely prepared for an encampment or the Israelites, sees in the twelve wells of water a reference to the twelve tribes, and in the 70 palm trees, with their tufted tops, a canopy under which each of the 70 elders might erect his tent. After the weary travel through the desert, this must have appeared a most delightful encampment from its shade and verdure, as well as from its abundant supply of sweet water for the thirsty multitude. 'For two days their journey had lain in a wooded, well-watered, and even romantic country. In most impressive contrast with the dreary flatness of Egypt, the mountain scenery of the peninsula here burst on them' (Drew's 'Scripture Lands,'
p. 55).