Chorath

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Chorath (/ˈxɔːrɑːθ/) or Cherith (/ˈkɪərɪθ/) is the name of a stream mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. The prophet Elijah hid himself on the banks of the brook Cherith and was fed by ravens during the early part of the three years' drought which he announced to King Ahab (1 Kings 17:3).

Name

Chorath or Cherith[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] are the English renditions of the biblical toponym (Hebrew: <templatestyles src="Script/styles_hebrew.css" />נחל חוּרית‎ Naḥal Ḥorath or Hebrew: <templatestyles src="Script/styles_hebrew.css" />נחל כּוּרת‎ Naḥal Korath; Greek: Χειμάῤῥους Cheimárrhous or Χοῤῥάθ Chorrháth). The name signifies a cutting, separation, gorge, torrent-bed, or winter-stream. It is the name of a wadi (Arabic: وادي‎‎, wādī; Hebrew: נחל‎, naḥal).

Identification

Wadi al-Yabis

It is usually identified with Wadi al-Yabis, which flows into the Jordan at a spot opposite of Beit She'an and slightly south of it.[8] Travellers have described it as one of the wildest ravines of the Fertile Crescent, and peculiarly fitted to afford a secure asylum to the persecuted. During summer, the stream is very dry.[9] Olive trees grow on its banks, and it is home to an array of wildlife including gazelle, hyrax, and egret.[10]

According to the 1994 Peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, Israel can maintain its use of the Jordan River waters between the Yarmouk and Wadi al-Yabis.[11]

Wadi Kelt

Alternatively, the brook Cherith has been identified by some with Wadi Kelt at St. George's Monastery.[12] This seems though to contradict 1 Kings 17:5: "So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan."

Wadi at Phasaelis

Marino Sanuto the Elder commented in 1321 that the stream extended into Phasaelis, which was named after Prince Phasael, the brother of King Herod.[13][dubious – discuss] This identification would again contradict 1 Kings 17:5, since Phasaelis has been identified at a spot west, not east of the Jordan.

Other uses of the name

The name is also a Mizrahi Jewish surname, specifically among Jews of Yemenite extraction. They descend from the tribe of Banim Chorath which is of Qahtanite origin and was once one of the most important tribes of the city of Najran.[14]

References

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  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Tourist information for St. George Monastery
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Norman A. Stillman, The Jews of Arab lands: A history and source book, p. 117

he:נחל פרת#עין קלט

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