Elim

From Bible Encyclopedia

ē´lim (אילם, 'ēlīm, “terebinths” or "trees" (Exodus 15:27; Numbers 33:9); Αἰλείμ, Aileím):

The name of the second encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea. It was a contrast to the previous camp called “Marah” because of the bitterness of the waters, for there “were twelve springs of water, and threescore and ten palm trees” (Exodus 15:27; Exodus 16:1; Numbers 33:9 f). The traditional site is an oasis in Wādy Ghurundel, circa 63 miles from Suez.

It had “twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm trees.” It has been identified with the Wady Ghurundel, the most noted of the four wades which descend from the range of et-Tih towards the sea. Here they probably remained some considerable time. The form of expression in Exodus 16:1 seems to imply that the people proceeded in detachments or companies from Elim, and only for the first time were assembled as a complete host when they reached the wilderness of Sin (q.v.).

See Exodus; Wanderings Of Israel.