The story of parting the Red Sea, facilitating the escape of the Hebrews from Egypt, is regarded as a divine miracle in the Book of Exodus. However, recently, certain researchers have offered a scientific perspective to this biblical event. They propose meteorological phenomena that might have been responsible for this extraordinary happening.
Meteorological Hypotheses for Red Sea Parting
The investigators have put forward four possible meteorological phenomena that could have temporarily separated the waters of the Red Sea, thus creating a dry passage.
Medicane
A Medicane, or Mediterranean Hurricane, is one possibility. These are hurricane-like storms in the Mediterranean region capable of causing extreme negative storm surges. Such surges can push coastal waters back and expose the land beneath. A corresponding example cited by the researchers is the impact of Hurricane Irma on Florida’s coastline, which resulted in similar receding of waters.
Wind Setdown
Another plausible explanation offered by the research team involves the principle of Wind Setdown. High-speed winds, when persistent over time, have the ability to reveal raised reefs in the Gulf of Suez, consequently creating a navigable path. An “east wind” was mentioned in the Exodus, making this hypothesis align with the biblical account.
Tidal Resonance
The third meteorological event that may provide an answer is Tidal Resonance. This phenomenon occurs when external forces such as strong winds align with a location’s natural tidal patterns. The result is unusually low tides that can expose vast areas of the seabed. A prominent example of this occurrence is the Bay of Fundy on the US-Canada border in the North Atlantic.
Rossby Waves
Lastly, Rossby Waves were also suggested as a feasible cause. These are large-scale waves in the oceans and atmosphere, triggered by Earth’s rotation. Their manifestation in the Red Sea could have temporarily formed a shallow or dry pathway suitable for crossing. An interesting echo from history reinforcing this perspective comes from Napoleon Bonaparte. He mentioned instances of tidal shifts while crossing the Red Sea during his Egyptian campaign.
Despite the plausibility of these hypotheses, the research’s conclusions are restricted due to uncertainties related to ancient geography and climate records. Furthermore, comprehending and modeling complex natural phenomena introduce their unique challenges. To strengthen the evidence supporting these meteorological theories, additional studies complemented by archaeological work will be indispensable.