(bushy). The peninsula of Sinai lies between the two great arms of the Red Sea, Gulf of Araba on the east, and Gulf of Suez on the west. This region contains the mountain system of Horeb or Sinai, on one of whose mounts, or peaks, God appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Ex. 3:1-5), amid whose surrounding wilderness the wandering Israelites encamped, (Ex. 19:1-2), and from whose cloud-obscured heights the law was delivered to Moses (Ex. 19:3-25; 20-40 Lev.). The numbering also took place there (Num. 1:1-10:1-12). The peninsula is a triangle whose base extends from the head of Suez to Akaba. This base is pierced by the plateau of Tih, the “desert of wandering,” south of which are those tumultuous mountain clusters above mentioned, central among which is Mount Sinai. The coast ranges along Akaba and Suez are systematic and elevated. The region was a dependency of Egypt from earliest times, but became subject to Rome.