Places in the Bible Today:

Elim

Data

Translated NameElim
Typesettlement
Geo Data KML (for Google Earth)
GeoJSON (for GIS applications)

4 Possible Identifications

  1. along Wadi Gharandal (modern): 55% confidence

    1. historical closeup of trees along Wadi Gharandalalong Wadi Gharandal

  2. Uyun Musa (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. trees at Uyun MusaUyun Musa

  3. El Tor (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. panorama of El TorEl Tor

  4. along Wadi ar Raynah (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. satellite view of the region around Wadi ar Raynahalong Wadi ar Raynah

Verses (4)

  1. Exod 15:27, 16:1
  2. Num 33:9, 33:10

Linked Data Identifiers

SourceIdentifier
Biblemapper.com388
Logos FactbookElim
OpenBible.info (2007)Elim
OpenBible.infoa2410c1 (Elim)
TIPNRElim@Exo.15.27
UBS Names Databaseot ID_196
WikidataQ629659

Sources

  1. Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (1992): Elim (place)
  2. Baly, Atlas of the Biblical World (1971): Elim
  3. Currid, Exodus (2001): 15:27
  4. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000): Elim
  5. ESV Bible Atlas (2010)
  6. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1984): Exod 15:25b-27
  7. Grollenberg, Atlas of the Bible (1957): Elim
  8. Hamilton, Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary (2011): 15:27
  9. Hammond Atlas of the Bible Lands (2007): Elim
  10. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (2011): Elim
  11. HarperCollins Concise Atlas of the Bible (1991)
  12. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1979): Elim
  13. IVP Old Testament Bible Background Commentary (2000): Exod 15:27
  14. Lexham Bible Dictionary (2016): Elim
  15. Mackay, Exodus (2001): 15:27
  16. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2014): Elim
  17. New Bible Dictionary (1996): Elim
  18. New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (1988)
  19. Reader’s Digest Atlas of the Bible (1981): Elim
  20. Stuart, Exodus (2006): 15:27
  21. Tyndale Bible Dictionary (2001): Elim
  22. Tübingen Bible Atlas (2001): Elim
  23. Wenham, Numbers (1981): 33:8-15
  24. Westminster Historical Atlas to the Bible (1956): Elim
  25. Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (1975): Elim
  26. Zondervan Atlas of the Bible (2010)
  27. Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible (2010)
  28. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (2009): Num 33:1-56 Cycle 1
  29. Zondervan Pictorial Bible Atlas (1972): page 66

Confidence Trends over Time

This chart indicates how confidence in the identifications is changing over time. Each dot (connected by a dotted line) reflects the confidence of an identification over the preceding ten years (e.g., the 2009 dot reflects scholarship from 2000 to 2009), and the corresponding solid line reflects a best-fit line for the identification. Confidences that cluster near or below 0% indicate low confidence. Because of the small dataset, it's best to use this chart for general trends; if one identification is trending much higher than the others (in this case, along Wadi Gharandal), then you can probably have higher confidence in the identification. This chart only reflects the sources I consulted (listed above), not an exhaustive review of the literature.

Thumbnail Image Credits

Matson Collection, Berthold Werner, Staselnik, Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2019

About

This page attempts to identify all the possible locations where this biblical place could be. The confidence levels add up to less than 100%, indicating that the modern location is uncertain. It's best to think about the confidences in relative rather than absolute terms. Often they reflect different schools of thought, each confident in their identifications.