Jebel Tahuna

In the Bible

When Amalek attacked at Rephidim, Moses stood on the hilltop with the staff of God; while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, Joshua prevailed.

Exod 17:8–13After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his army with the sword.

Tradition

By Byzantine tradition, this hill above the oasis is where Moses prayed during the battle; ruins of a chapel remain on top.

Here today

A rocky hill over the palm groves of Feiran, climbed by a stony path.

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Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).