Places in the Bible Today:

Rithmah

Data

Translated NameRithmah
Typecampsite
Geo Data KML (for Google Earth)
GeoJSON (for GIS applications)

5 Possible Identifications

  1. along Wadi Ratamah (modern): 25% confidence
    1. satellite view of the region around Wadi Ratamahalong Wadi Ratamah

  2. along Wadi Abu Retemat (modern): less than 10% confidence
    1. satellite view of the region around Wadi Abu Retematalong Wadi Abu Retemat

  3. along Wadi er Retame (modern): less than 10% confidence
    1. satellite view of the region around Wadi er Retamealong Wadi er Retame

  4. Ain Rathmah (modern): less than 10% confidence
    1. satellite view of the region around Ain RathmahAin Rathmah

  5. Bir es Sawra (modern): less than 10% confidence
    1. satellite view of the region around Bir es SawraBir es Sawra

Verses (2)

Num 33:18, 33:19

Linked Data Identifiers

SourceIdentifier
Logos FactbookRithmah
OpenBible.info (2007)Rithmah
OpenBible.infoa2e73ba (Rithmah)
TIPNRRithmah@Num.33.18
UBS Names Databaseot ID_2737
WikidataQ7336733

Sources

  1. Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (1992): Rithmah (place)
  2. Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2013): Rithmah
  3. Baly, Atlas of the Biblical World (1971): Rithmah
  4. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000): Rithmah
  5. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2003)
  6. Wenham, Numbers (1981): 33:16-36
  7. Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible (2010)

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, for example, 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

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.