The Brook of Egypt (Shihor) marked the southwestern boundary of the Promised Land.
Also known as Brook · Wadi · river · Wadi of Egypt · river of Egypt,stream of Egypt · Shihor · Sihor
The Brook of Egypt, also known as Shihor, was a waterway that marked the southwestern boundary of the Promised Land. It is mentioned in several passages describing the extent of the Israelite territory (Numbers 34:5; Joshua 15:4, 47; 1Ki.8.65; 2Ch.7.8; Ezk.47.19; 48:28). The Brook of Egypt is generally identified with the Wadi el-Arish, a seasonal stream that flows into the Mediterranean Sea near the modern border between Israel and Egypt.
In Joshua 13:3, Shihor is described as being "east of Egypt," suggesting that it was a separate body of water from the Nile River. However, in Isaiah 23:3, Shihor seems to be associated with the Nile, possibly referring to one of its eastern branches. The Brook of Egypt served not only as a geographical boundary but also as a symbol of the extent of God's promise to Israel and the limit of their conquest. During the reign of King Josiah, the Brook of Egypt was mentioned as the southern limit of Judah's territory (2Ki.24.7).
Approximate location: 31.032, 33.855 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
11 verses in 7 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H5158
where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea.
from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;
It proceeded to Azmon, joined the Brook of Egypt, and ended at the Sea. This was their southern border.
Ashdod, with its towns and villages; Gaza, with its towns and villages, as far as the Brook of Egypt and the coastline of the Great Sea.
So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all.
Now the king of Egypt did not march out of his land again, because the king of Babylon had taken all his territory, from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River.
So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a very great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast for seven days.
On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations.
In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, O Israelites, will be gathered one by one.
On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, and along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary.
The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.