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defeated (Exodus 17:1, 8-16). They were the “first of the nations” to make war against Israel (Numbers 24:20).

Leaving Rephidim, the Israelites advanced into the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 19:1, 2; Numbers 33:14, 15), marching probably through the two passes of the Wady Solaf and the Wady esh-Sheikh, which converge at the entrance to the plain er-Rahah, the “desert of Sinai,” which is two miles long and about half a mile broad. (See SINAI; MERIBAH.)