In the Parsha Lech Lecha
Plants, Places, Animals
Compiled from: WWW.ORT.ORG, The Living Torah by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
Abraham's Oak (אלני ממרי)
The Hebrew term Eloney Mamreh of Genesis 13:18 is considered by some translators to be a name of a region in Canaan. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it is a reference to the terebinth trees of Mamre; or to the oak of Mamre, which has since come to be known as Abraham's Oak. Oaks can live for as long as 1000 years. Their monumental scale makes them useful as a geographical landmark. Location: North-west of Hebron.
Terebinth (אלון מורה)
The Hebrew term Elon Moreh of Genesis 12:6 has been considered by some translators to be the name of a specific locality in Canaan. It has hence been viewed by some translators as meaning "the plains of Moreh". Other scholars dispute this and claim instead that the name Elon Moreh is a reference to the terebinth that was located on the plains of Moreh. The terebinth tree is distinguished by its longevity and scale and hence, it has been suggested, could have been used as a geographical landmark by travelers. The term appears in a passage which describes the route taken by Abraham on his journey to the promised land. The terebinth is a monumental tree. It is a member of the pistachio and sumac family. Habitat: Valley of Elah, the Negev and Lower Galilee.
Ai (עי)
A town to the east of Bethel (north of Jerusalem) mentioned at Genesis 12:8. It was later conquered by Joshua. Identified with the modern town of Haiyin.
Ashteroth Karnaim (עשתרת קרנים)
The place where Chedorlaomer defeated the Rephaim (Genesis 14:5). Ancient twin cities, situated to the east of the Sea of Galilee on what is now the Golan Heights. Katnaim literally means “twin horns” (Radak).
Chatzatzon Tamar (חצצן ת מר)
A place mentioned at Genesis 14:7 as the home of the Amorites defeated by Chedorlaomer. Identified by some rabbinic authorities with Ein Gedi.
Chovah (חובה)
A place in Syria, site unidentified, mentioned at Genesis 14:15 in connection with Abraham's pursuit of Chedorlaomer and his allies.
Damascus (דמשק)
The principal city of Syria, mentioned in Genesis 15:2 as part of the name of Abraham's manservant Eliezer.
Egyptian Wadi (נהר מצרים)
Sometimes translated as the River of Egypt. This is mentioned at Genesis 15:18 and Numbers 34:5 as the south-western border of the Promised Land. It is identified as Wadi el-Arish, which is 128 km (80 miles) west of the Dead Sea in the middle of the Sinai peninsula.
Ellasar (אלסר)
A city near Erekh in Babylonia, mentioned at Genesis 14:1 as the kingdom of Ariokh. About 100 miles south of Babylon’s capital, and a major power center in ancient times.
Euphrates, river (נהר פרת)
One of the rivers emanating from Paradise (Eden). It rises in the Armenian mountains and flows for 1780 miles (2865 km). The alluvial plain between the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers was known as Babylonia. In Genesis 15:18 G-d made a covenant with Abraham, promising the Israelites that their territory would extend to 'the great river': this was later fulfilled through the conquests of King David.
Eyl Paran (איל פארן)
A place in or near the Paran Desert, mentioned in connection with the campaign of Chedorlaomer at Genesis 14:6. Translated as “plain” in Targum.
Eyn Mishpat (עין משפט)
A place in the Negev mentioned at Genesis 14:7 in connection with the campaign of Chedorlaomer and as being the former name of Kadesh. “Well of decision” or Well of judgment”.
Kadesh (קדש)
A place in the Negev on the border of the territory of Edom. Mentioned at Genesis 14:7 in the account of the campaign of Chedorlaomer and in Numbers 20 as the place where Miriam died, and where Moses brought forth the water from the rock and sent out the twelve spies. Identified by modern scholars with Kadesh Barnea (probably Ain Qudeis, or Ain Qudeirat), but some rabbinic authorities distinguish the two. It should not be confused with Kadesh on the Orontes river (northern Lebanon) which is an important archeological site but is not mentioned in the Bible.
Level Valley (עמק שוה)
Also known as the King's Valley, this is the place where the king of Sodom greeted the victorious Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:17).
Mamre (ממרא)
A place near Hebron, to the west of the caves of Machpelah where Abraham settled and built an altar (Genesis 13:18; Genesis 23:17). The words Eloney Mamre may be translated either as 'the plains of Mamre' or as 'the terebinths of Mamre'. Hebron area, west of Machpelah.
Salem (שלם)
A city mentioned at Genesis 14:18 as the kingdom of Malkhi-tzedek. Later commentators identified Salem with Jerusalem.
Shaveh Kiryiathaim (שוה קריתים)
A city to the east of the Dead Sea, mentioned at Genesis 14:5 as the place where Chedorlaomer defeated the Emim. It is possible that this is the same as the Kiryathaim mentioned at Numbers 32:37, that later became part of Reubenite territory.
Shur Desert (דרך שור)
Also known as the Wilderness of Shur, the arid region in north-west Sinai, south of the Mediterranean coastline and the Philistine Highway. Shur lay on an important trade route between southern Palestine and Egypt. Abraham lived between Kadesh and Shur before travelling to Gerar (Genesis 20:1), and Sarah's handmaid Hagar fled to a well past Kadesh on the way to Shur (Genesis 16:7). The Israelites entered the Shur desert after passing through the Red Sea before travelling southwards into Sinai (Exodus 15:22).
Siddim (שדים)
A valley mentioned at Genesis 14:3 as the mustering-point of Chedorlaomer and his allies. It is identified with the Dead Sea. Radak translates as “field”; Targum Yonathan renders as “Orchard Valley”.
