In the Parsha Devarim
Plants, Places, Animals
Compiled from: http://bible.ort.org/ The Living Torah by Aryeh Kaplan
Aravah
The rift valley in which the Jordan and Dead Sea are found, ranging from the Kinnereth Sea to the top of the Gulf of Aqaba. Also called the Aravah Valley or the Aravah Highway. Moses explained G-d's commandments the Israelites in the Aravah (Deuteronomy 1:1) and the Israelites passed through the Aravah from Elath and Etzyon Gever (Deuteronomy 2:8). The Aravah Sea referred to at Deuteronomy 3:17 and 4:49 is probably at the northern end of the Dead Sea.
Argov
An area of Transjordan having sixty fortified cities and several unwalled towns which was conquered by the Israelites under Moses, having previously been part of the territory of Og, the king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:3-5). Rabbinical scholars identified the Argov region with el-Leja, east of lake Kinnereth; others suggest the area of land between the Arnon and the Jabbok.
Arnon River
A long wadi extending across the plateau of Moab as far as the Dead Sea. It was originally Amorite territory and became the southern border of the lands of Reuben when the Israelites entered the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 3:12, 16), thus extending Israelite territory from the Arnon to Mount Hermon (Deuteronomy 3:8). The Arnon Gorge is mentioned at Deuteronomy 4:48 in the description of the land conquered by the Israelites from king Og.
Aro'er
Aro'er was among the fortress cities built up by the descendants of the tribe of Gad. The tribes of Gad and Reuben claimed the lands around Ya'ezer and Gilead for raising livestock, even though this area was on the eastern bank of the Jordan. After attempting to persuade them to settle in Canaan, Moses granted them permission to settle in Transjordan on condition that they armed themselves and led the other Israelites across the Jordan river as an advance guard (Numbers 32). It is mentioned at Deuteronomy 2:26, 3:12, 4:48.
Di Zahav
A locality in the Aravah area where Moses addressed the Israelites (Deuteronomy 1:1). It is usually identified with the Egyptian Dahab on the east coast of the Sinai peninsula, but this is unlikely as Di Zahav is described as being in northern Moab. It is therefore sometimes also identified with ed-Dheibe, 30 km (48 miles) east of Cheshbon.
Elath
A town on the Gulf of Aqaba, about 3 km (2 miles) east of Etzyon Gever. The Israelites passed through Elath on their journey through the Aravah (Deuteronomy 2:8).
Etzyon Gever
A town on the Gulf of Aqaba; one of the places where the Israelites camped in the eastern Wilderness, mentioned at Numbers 33:35-36 and Deuteronomy 2:8.
Gaza, Gazza
A city in Canaan, mentioned in Genesis 10:19 as the southern border of the Promised Land. Gerar, a town in Gaza, was later one of the principal cities of the Philistines (Genesis 20:2). The Avvim, said to have been a Canaanite tribe related to the Rephaim, lived there (Deuteronomy 2:23).
Jabbok river
A river running into the Jordan from the east, marking the boundary between Ammonite and Gaddite territory (Deuteronomy 3:16). The wrestling-match of Jacob and the angel took place by its banks (Genesis 32:22).
Kadesh Barnea
A town in the Negev identified by modern scholars as either Ain Qudeis or Ain Qudeirat. Mentioned in Numbers 34:4 as the southern point of the boundary of the Promised Land, and at Numbers 32:8, Deuteronomy 1:19 and Deuteronomy 9:23 as the place from which the twelve spies were sent into Canaan by Moses. It is sometimes identified with Kadesh (where Miriam died), although some rabbinic authorities dispute this, and is also thought to be the Rithmah listed at Numbers 33:18-19.
Kedemoth Desert
Also known as the eastern desert (kedem meaning 'east' in Hebrew). It is sometimes identified with Matanah in Numbers 21:18 and is also linked with the modern ez-Za'feran, about 16 km (26 miles) north of the river Arnon. It became part of the territory belonging to Reuben during the period of Joshua and is mentioned at Deuteronomy 2:26 when the Israelites were passing through the eastern part of king Sichon's territory.
Lavan
A locality in the Paran area where Moses addressed the Israelites (Deuteronomy 1:1). It is sometimes linked to Livnah in Numbers 33:20. Some rabbinical scholars posit Lavan as the site of Korach's rebellion. Others identify Lavan with the place where the Israelites expressed their dissatisfaction with the manna (Numbers 11:6).
Rabbah
The Ammonite city where king Og's enormous bed was said to be found (Deuteronomy 3:11). See also Ammon.
Salkhah
The hilly south-eastern corner of Bashan, one of the cities of king Og. Mentioned at Deuteronomy 3:10 as being conquered by the Israelites under Moses together with Edrei.
South Sea, Southern Sea
One of several translations for Yam Suf, denoting various parts of the Red Sea. In Numbers 21:4 and Deuteronomy 1:40 the reference is probably to the Gulf of Aqaba.
Tofel
A locality possibly in the Paran area north of the Sinai desert, where Moses addressed the Israelites. Mentioned at Deuteronomy 1:1. Some sources identify Tofel with el-Tafile, a village 24 km (15 miles) south-west of the Dead Sea, but its exact location remains unknown.
Yahatz
Also known as Yahatzah. The Amorite king Sichon attacked the Israelites at Yahatz, but was defeated and killed there (Numbers 21:23). Yahatz is situated some 24 km (15 miles) east of the northern end of the Dead Sea, and is 11km (7 miles) south of Cheshbon. It is mentioned as Yahatzah in Deuteronomy 2:32.
Zered Brook
A wadi whose waters flow into the south-eastern part of the Dead Sea, forming the southern border of Moab. The Israelites crossed the Zered Brook while passing the borders of Edom and Moab (Numbers 21:12; Deuteronomy 2:13). Its exact location is uncertain, but it is thought to be Wadi el-Hesa. The Deuteronomy passage notes that the journey from Kadesh Barnea took 38 years, during which time an entire 'generation of warriors' had died out: see Kaplan's footnote to Numbers 33:45.
