Red Sea is the traditional rendering of the
Hebrew name here. Some modern translations give the alternate translation “Sea
of Reeds” in a footnote (nrsv, reb), while others have “Sea of Reeds” in the
text (njpsv, frcl, pv). gnt says “Gulf of Aqaba” and gives the following Word
List entry for Red Sea: “Evidently
referred originally to (1) a series of lakes and marshes between the head of
the Gulf of Suez and the Mediterranean, the region generally regarded as the
site of the events described in Exodus 13, and was also used to designate (2)
the Gulf of Suez, (3) the Gulf of Aqaba.” Whether translators decide to say
“Red Sea,” “Sea of Reeds” or “Gulf of Aqaba,” a glossary explanation will be
essential. (Donald Slager, A Handbook on 1 & 2 Kings, 2
vols. [United Bible Societies’ Handbooks;
New York: United Bible Societies,
2008], 1:322-23)
