Definition and Etymology:
Shihor, sometimes spelled Sihor, is a term found in the Bible that is often associated with a body of water. The name "Shihor" is believed to mean "dark" or "turbid," which may refer to the color or nature of the water.

Biblical References:
Shihor is mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament. It is often identified with the easternmost branch of the Nile River or a canal connected to it. The term is used in contexts that suggest a boundary or a significant geographical marker.

1. Joshua 13:3 : "from the Shihor east of Egypt to the border of Ekron on the north (all of it regarded as Canaanite territory—the five rulers of the Philistines in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron—the Avvites)."
· In this passage, Shihor is described as a boundary marker for the land that was to be conquered by the Israelites. It delineates the southern border of the land of Canaan, which was inhabited by various groups, including the Philistines.

2. 1 Chronicles 13:5 : "So David assembled all the Israelites, from the Shihor in Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim."
· Here, Shihor is mentioned as part of the expansive territory from which King David gathered the Israelites. It underscores the extent of David's influence and the unity of the tribes under his leadership.

3. Isaiah 23:3 : "On the great waters came the grain of the Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre, and she became the marketplace of the nations."
· This verse highlights the economic significance of Shihor, linking it to the grain trade and the prosperity of Tyre. It suggests that Shihor was a vital part of the trade routes and agricultural wealth of the region.

Geographical and Historical Context:
Shihor is often equated with the Pelusiac branch of the Nile River, which was the easternmost branch and closest to the land of Canaan. This identification is supported by its description as being "east of Egypt" and its association with the fertile regions that contributed to the wealth of ancient cities like Tyre.

In the context of the ancient Near East, rivers and bodies of water were crucial for trade, agriculture, and as natural boundaries. The mention of Shihor in the Bible reflects its importance in these areas, serving as a marker for territorial limits and as a source of sustenance and economic activity.

Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, Shihor represents the boundary between the land of promise and the lands of foreign nations. It serves as a reminder of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises to the Israelites regarding the land they were to inherit. The references to Shihor in the context of trade and prosperity also illustrate the interconnectedness of God's people with the surrounding nations and the influence of divine providence in the economic and political affairs of the time.

Conclusion:
While Shihor is not a central theme in biblical theology, its mention in various passages underscores the historical and geographical realities faced by the Israelites. It serves as a testament to the accuracy and richness of the biblical narrative, providing insight into the ancient world and God's unfolding plan for His people.Dark, (1 Chronicles 13:5), the southwestern boundary of Canaan, the Wady el-`Arish. (see SIHOR; NILE.) SHIHOR

shi'-hor (shichor, also written without a yodh (y) and waw (w) in Hebrew and incorrectly "Sihor" in English): A stream of water mentioned in connection with Egypt. Joshua (13:3) speaks of the "Shihor, which is before Egypt," a stream which commentators have thought to be "the brook of Egypt," the stream which separated Egypt from Palestine, now called Wady el-`Arish. Jeremiah (2:18 the King James Version) says, "What hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor?" Commentators have thought Shihor in this case to be a name for the Nile. Both interpretations cannot be correct. Whatever the name South means, at least it did not denote a movable river. It must be the same stream in both these passages, and no identification of the stream can be correct that does not satisfy both of them. Professor Naville has recently shown conclusively (Proc. Soc. Biblical Arch., January, 1913) that neither of these interpretations is strictly correct, and has made clear the Biblical references to South. In the northeasternmost province of ancient Egypt, Khentabt ("Fronting on the East"), was a canal, a fresh-water stream drawn off from the Nile, called in the Egyptian language Shi-t-Hor, i.e. "the Horus Canal" (the -t- is an Egyptian feminine ending). There have been many changes in the branches and canals from the Nile in the Delta, and this one with many others has been lost altogether; but there is a tradition among the Bedouin of Wady el-`Arish to this day that once a branch of the Nile came over to that point. This Shi-t-Hor, "Stream of Horus," makes perfectly clear and harmonious the different references of Scripture to South. It was "before Egypt," as Joshua describes it, and it was the first sweet water of Egypt which the traveler from Palestine in those days was able to obtain, as the words of Jeremiah indicate. "To drink the waters of South" meant to reach the supply of the fresh water of the Nile at the border of the desert. The two other references to South (1 Chronicles 13:5 Isaiah 23:3) are perfectly satisfied by this identification. The "seed of South" (Isaiah 23:3 the King James Version) would be grain from Egypt by way of the Shihor.

M. G. Kyle

7884. Shichor Libnath -- a stream in Asher
... a stream in Asher. Transliteration: Shichor Libnath Phonetic Spelling: (shee-khore'
lib-nawth') Short Definition: Shihor-libnath. ... Shihor-libnath. ...
/hebrew/7884.htm - 6k

7883. Shichor -- a stream on the border of Egypt
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a stream on the border of
Eg. NASB Word Usage Nile (2), Shihor (2). Shihor, Sihor. ...
/hebrew/7883.htm - 6k

The River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
... The farthest border of the land of Israel southward is not Nile in Egypt,
but Shihor in the way to Egypt, Joshua 13:3; Jeremiah 2:18. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 8 the river of.htm

Shihor (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHIHOR. ... The "seed of South" (Isaiah 23:3 the King
James Version) would be grain from Egypt by way of the Shihor. MG Kyle. ...
/s/shihor.htm - 10k

Shihor-libnath (1 Occurrence)
Shihor-libnath. Shihorlibnath, Shihor-libnath. Shihor-lib'nath . Easton's Bible
Dictionary ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHIHOR-LIBNATH. ...
/s/shihor-libnath.htm - 8k

Shihor-lib'nath (1 Occurrence)
Shihor-lib'nath. Shihor-libnath, Shihor-lib'nath. Shikkeron .
Multi-Version Concordance Shihor-lib'nath (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shihor-lib'nath.htm - 6k

Shihorlibnath (1 Occurrence)
...SHIHOR-LIBNATH. ... More probably Shihor was the name of a river, "Libnath"
distinguishing it from the Nile, which was called Shihor of Egypt. ...
/s/shihorlibnath.htm - 8k

Nile (37 Occurrences)
... the river. shichor, not always written fully, has also been interpreted
in a mistaken way of the Nile (see SHIHOR). Likewise nahar ...
/n/nile.htm - 29k

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 13:5 So David assembled all Israel together, from Shihor the brook
of Egypt even unto the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath ...
/k/kir'iath-je'arim.htm - 11k

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 13:5 And David assembled all Israel from the Shihor of Egypt unto the
entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim. ...
/k/kirjath-jearim.htm - 13k

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 13:5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even
unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. ...
/k/kirjathjearim.htm - 13k

Jearim (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 13:5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook
of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from ...
/j/jearim.htm - 13k

Lebo (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 13:5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook
of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from ...
/l/lebo.htm - 9k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus