Thread: Mother Nature, not Moses, could have parted the Red Sea

Mother Nature - rather than Moses - could have parted the Red Sea as described in the Bible, according to scientists in Colorado.

In a report grippingly titled, "Dynamics of Wind Setdown at Suez and the Eastern Nile Delta," the scientists say they have worked out a "hydrodynamic explanation" for Moses leading the Israelites across the ocean floor, as described in Exodus 14.

Using computer modelling to reconstruct combinations of winds and waves, the researchers found that a strong east wind blowing overnight on a shallow coastal lagoon in northern Egypt could push so much water aside that men could walk across on the exposed mud flats.

"The simulations match fairly closely with the account in Exodus," said Carl Drews, lead author of the study.

"The parting of the waters can be understood through fluid dynamics. The wind moves the water in a way that's in accordance with physical laws, creating a safe passage with water on two sides and then abruptly allowing the water to rush back in."

Both the Bible and Koran describe Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt ahead of a pharaoh's armies about 3,000 years ago. In the story, the Red Sea parts to let them pass in safety before closing and drowning their pursuers.

"Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided," the Bible says. "The children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea."

Drews theorized said if the event really happened, and science was behind the miracle rather than God, it probably didn't happen in the Red Sea but at a coastal lagoon in the Nile Delta then called the Lake of Tanis, near today's Port Said.

If an east wind of 63 mph or greater were to blow there for long enough, "a traversable dry gap in the waters opens...where it appears feasible for a number of people to make their way across the exposed mud flats," the study says.

Under the computer model, the land bridge would remain open for just under four hours.

The study quoted a description of a similar event at the lagoon in February 1882, when British Army Major-General Alexander Tulloch reported "a gale of wind from the eastward set in and became so strong that I had to cease work."

The next morning, he said he found the lake "had totally disappeared...and the natives were walking about on the mud."

Earlier studies have theorized that a tsunami pushed the waters aside, or that hurricane-force winds could have exposed a small reef to allow the crossing.

Drews is both a devout Christian and a scientist who has a website devoted to reconciling science and his faith.



Read more: Mother Nature, not Moses, could have parted the Red Sea, scientists say

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Mother Nature - rather than Moses - could have parted the Red Sea as described in the Bible, according to scientists in Colorado.

In a report grippingly titled, "Dynamics of Wind Setdown at Suez and the Eastern Nile Delta," the scientists say they have worked out a "hydrodynamic explanation" for Moses leading the Israelites across the ocean floor, as described in Exodus 14.

Using computer modelling to reconstruct combinations of winds and waves, the researchers found that a strong east wind blowing overnight on a shallow coastal lagoon in northern Egypt could push so much water aside that men could walk across on the exposed mud flats.

"The simulations match fairly closely with the account in Exodus," said Carl Drews, lead author of the study.

"The parting of the waters can be understood through fluid dynamics. The wind moves the water in a way that's in accordance with physical laws, creating a safe passage with water on two sides and then abruptly allowing the water to rush back in."

Both the Bible and Koran describe Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt ahead of a pharaoh's armies about 3,000 years ago. In the story, the Red Sea parts to let them pass in safety before closing and drowning their pursuers.

"Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided," the Bible says. "The children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea."

Drews theorized said if the event really happened, and science was behind the miracle rather than God, it probably didn't happen in the Red Sea but at a coastal lagoon in the Nile Delta then called the Lake of Tanis, near today's Port Said.

If an east wind of 63 mph or greater were to blow there for long enough, "a traversable dry gap in the waters opens...where it appears feasible for a number of people to make their way across the exposed mud flats," the study says.

Under the computer model, the land bridge would remain open for just under four hours.

The study quoted a description of a similar event at the lagoon in February 1882, when British Army Major-General Alexander Tulloch reported "a gale of wind from the eastward set in and became so strong that I had to cease work."

The next morning, he said he found the lake "had totally disappeared...and the natives were walking about on the mud."

Earlier studies have theorized that a tsunami pushed the waters aside, or that hurricane-force winds could have exposed a small reef to allow the crossing.

Drews is both a devout Christian and a scientist who has a website devoted to reconciling science and his faith.



Read more: Mother Nature, not Moses, could have parted the Red Sea, scientists say

Blasphemer! You will burn in HELL!